⚡️ Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova’s comment on the seizure of the St Michael’s Cathedral of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in Cherkassy, Ukraine

💬 Today, Ukrainian neo-Nazis committed yet another criminal act against the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), this time, it was a hostile takeover of the St Michael’s Cathedral in Cherkassy, the largest UOC church in that country.

The attackers opened fire on peaceful parishioners, including women, children, and the elderly. They used pepper spray and drove worshippers out, interrupting the service. As a result of these criminal actions, Metropolitan Theodosy of Cherkassy and Kanev was injured and hospitalised.

Against this backdrop, Mayor of Cherkassy Anatoly Bondarenko cynically referred to the incident as a “voluntary transfer” of the St Michael community into the jurisdiction of the Orthodox Church of Ukraine (OCU).

It appears that this barbaric action was committed to enforce the law "On Amending Certain Laws of Ukraine Governing the Activities of Religious Organisations in Ukraine", which took effect on September 23 and has created legal mechanisms for banning the UOC.

The Kiev regime is doing everything possible to outlaw and liquidate the canonical church, while the Western backers of President Zelensky continue to encourage the deepening of the religious split in Ukraine.

Relevant human rights institutions and mechanisms, such as the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR), the UN Special Rapporteur on freedom of religion or belief, the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights, and Personal Representatives of OSCE Chairman-in-Office on Tolerance and Non-discrimination, including against Christians, remain criminally silent.

Such pandering to the crimes of Kiev’s neo-Nazis, who are seizing Orthodox churches, persecuting believers, and even resorting to physical violence against clergy, is seen by the Zelensky regime as encouragement of its barbaric actions.

☝️ Once again, we strongly call on relevant international human rights organizations to focus on their primary duties.

In turn, the Russian side continues to gather evidence of the Kiev regime's outrageous crimes, including against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

These findings are detailed in the reports posted on the Foreign Ministry’s website, “Illegal Actions by the Kiev Regime Targeting the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), its Clergy and Parishioners” (July 2023) and the most recent report, “Regarding the Situation with the Glorification of Nazism and the Spread of Neo-Nazism and Other Practices That Contribute to Fuelling Contemporary Forms of Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia and Related Intolerance” (September 11) with an entire section dedicated to the Kiev regime’s persecution of the UOC. I encourage you to review them.

❗️We are convinced that Zelensky will not succeed in destroying canonical Orthodoxy practiced by the majority of the people in that country. We strongly call on the international community to condemn the sacrilegious war waged by the Kiev regime against the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.

🎙Member of Russian🇷🇺 Delegation at #UNESCO Executive Board:
 
📍Russia faced a flurry of fakes spread by Western media & Internet platforms. In order to counter this campaign a section with examples of disinformation and its refutation was launched on website of MFA of Russia.
 
📍We see particular threat in practice of using fight against disinformation as pretext for imposing political censorship, which is entrenched in the West. It's convenient for them to unprovenly declare a media as source of disinformation & ban it on this unfounded basis. Self-appointed censors seek to impose this logic on the rest of the world.
 
📍Problem of ensuring safety of journalists is urgent. In recent years Kiev regime carried out numerous attacks on Russian journalists. However most of these crimes have not been condemned by UNESCO Director-General.
 
📍We emphasise the importance of ensuring free flow of and public access to accurate fact-based information, protecting freedom of opinion and expression.

📄 Joint Communique of the Third Ministerial Meeting of the “3+3” Consultative Regional Platform

👉 Full text of the statement

In the Meeting, the Ministers:

1. Recalled the previous meetings of the 3+3 format held in Moscow and Tehran.

2. Emphasized the significance of reconvening the 3+3 Regional Cooperation Platform amidst the current complex developments that endanger regional and international peace and stability and agreed to further enhance cooperation within the 3+3 format.

3. In light of the crucial necessity for having good neighborly relations that stem from joint endeavors to realize mutual interests, reaffirmed the importance of the peaceful settlement of disputes, respect for sovereignty, political independence, territorial integrity, inviolability of internationally recognized borders, non-interference in internal affairs, prohibition of the threat or use of force and respect for human rights, based on all the principles of the United Nations Charter.

4. In line with the primary role of the Regional Countries and highlighting the importance of dialogue, seizing regional cooperation opportunities, and the ability to frankly converse on prominent international issues, discussed the outstanding issues that concern the region.

5. Commended the positive dynamics in normalization and development of relations between all the countries of the region.

6. Stating the constructive role regional economic cooperation plays in regional confidence building, prosperity, and stability, which in turn benefits all the peoples of the region by providing economic and commercial development opportunities by transforming conflictual topics; agreed to further explore opportunities of cooperation in the fields of transport, communication, trade, energy, investment and connectivity.

7. Underscored the importance of cultural cooperation and people-to-people contacts with a view to encouraging joint projects in education, science, tourism, culture, and sports.

8. Concurred that bilateral talks will complement multilateral consultations towards sustainable regional peace and economic development.

9. Reiterated that the doors of the 3+3 Platform will always be open for Georgia to join.

10. Exchanged views on the escalating situation in the Middle East and strongly condemned grave breaches of the principles of the UN Charter and international humanitarian law that could jeopardize regional peace and security, and urged for respect for international law, end to all aggressions and atrocities through immediate ceasefire, and unhindered access to humanitarian assistance for those affected.

11. Acknowledging the increase in terrorist and criminal activity in areas close to our region, expressed their commitment to cooperate against all forms and manifestations of terrorism in accordance with relevant UN Security Council resolutions.

12. Underlined the importance of the regular ministerial meetings of the “3+3” Regional Cooperation Platform, as well as consultations in the areas of common interest towards enhancing and solidifying an environment of trust and cooperation in the region.

13. Agreed that the venue and the date of the next meeting will be agreed through diplomatic channels.

The Foreign Ministers of the Republic of Armenia, the Republic of Azerbaijan, the Islamic Republic of Iran and the Russian Federation thanked the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye for the good reception and successful holding of this meeting.

İstanbul, 18 October 2024

#KievRegimeCrimes

❗️ Maxim Grigoryev, the Сhairman of the International Public Tribunal on the Crimes of Ukrainian neo-Nazis, which includes representatives of civil society from more than 30 countries, continues recording reports of atrocities perpetrated by the Kiev regime.

Witnesses and victims of the crimes committed by Ukrainian neo-Nazis in Donbass are giving their testimonies.

💬 Veronika Krivoruchko, witness of the AFU's crimes from Donetsk:

"Last night at about 1 am, 25 shells were launched from the direction of Krasnogorovka. The school and nearby houses were damaged. One person died — a young man was killed in his vehicle. One woman was hit by shrapnel.

I think they [Ukrainian neo-Nazis] are shelling us because it is a densely populated neighborhood, there are schools and kindergartens here, collection points of humanitarian aid.

They are trying to destroy all of our schools and kindergartens so that our children have no place where to study."

💬 Tatiana, witness of the AFU's crimes from Artyomovsk, Donetsk People's Republic:

"Our neighbour, a civilian, was walking towards a house where he was usually hiding.

A Ukrainian armored infantry vehicle drove by and they started shooting at him, like hunting a hare. He ran back and forth, ducked, hid behind the wall. The Ukrainian military shot until they hit him in the leg. He was crawling towards the basement, and they kept shooting. They were having fun.

The Ukrainian military shot at houses. They knew that there were civilians there."

💬 Vera Ivanova, victim of the AFU's crimes from Donetsk:

"During the the first shelling, at night, 'petal' mines were used.

And a bomb fell at the bus stop. Another one fell in the park. A girl was wounded there, she died after. The City Executive Committee was also hit.

My dog saved my life. She went to the door and I followed her. At that moment my balcony was hit. I would have been there if not for my dog."

👉 Find out more on the Kiev regime's war crimes, documented by Maxim Grigoryev

🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putin met with journalists from BRICS countries ahead of the XVI BRICS Summit in Kazan (October 18, 2024)

Read and watch in full

Key talking points:

• In the modern world, creating nuclear weapons is not a difficult task. I do not know whether current-day Ukraine is capable of doing this now though. It is not easy for Ukraine today, but generally there are no big difficulties in this regard, with everyone knowing how it is done. <...> I can say straight away: under no circumstances will Russia allow this to happen.

• NATO is waging war against us with the hands of the Ukrainian soldiers, and Ukraine spares no lives for the interests of third countries, but Ukraine on its own does not use high-tech weapons: NATO does that.

• What sets BRICS apart from many other international organisations/fora? #BRICS was never meant to be created to oppose anyone. It is a group of countries that work together, guided by shared values, a common vision for development, and, most importantly, by the consideration of each other’s interests.

• In certain sectors, humanity’s existence is impossible without the BRICS countries, particularly in food and energy markets and so on.

• Russian-Chinese cooperation on the global stage is undoubtedly one of the key pillars of strategic stability worldwide.

• We do not interfere in [bilateral relations of other countries]. If there are any issues arising and if there is something that depends on us, we are ready to offer our services in resolving these issues, if they arise and if the participants in the corresponding process are interested in any involvement from our side.

• The United States should not have destroyed the [Middle East] Quartet. it worked, it was easier to agree on all positions. But the US monopolised the work, took all the responsibility and eventually failed.

• The main method to resolve the Palestinian issue is to create a full-fledged Palestinian state.

• 95% of Russia’s foreign trade with its partners is being done in national currencies. The United States did it themselves.

• The International Criminal Court has no universal power. This is an international organisation whose jurisdiction Russia does not recognise, like many other countries.

🎙 Excerpt from the answers to media questions by President of Russia Vladimir Putin to BRICS countries' journalists ahead of the XVI BRICS Summit in Kazan (October 18, 2024)

❓ Question: Mr. President, the sentiment in the West regarding Ukraine has changed. Earlier there were talks about Ukraine’s inevitable victory and settling everything on the battlefield, but now there are active speculations about ceding territories in exchange for the remaining part of Ukraine joining NATO. How do you like this idea?

💬 President Putin: I do not understand when you talk about ceding territories, because those territories which our soldiers are fighting for on the battlefield, these are our territories.

These are the Lugansk People’s Republic, the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions. This is the first thing.

Second. Without any doubt, apart from this, we need to resolve the issue of ensuring long-term interests of Russia in the security sphere. If we are talking about some specific peace processes, then these should not be the processes connected with a truce for a week or two or for a year what would allow NATO countries to re-arm and stockpile new ammunition.

We need conditions for a long-term, stable and lasting peace which would ensure equal security for all participants in this difficult process. This is what we should aspire for.

And if someone spoke at some point about the necessity to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, ensure victory over Russia on the battlefield, they already saw for themselves that this is impossible and unrealistic, and changed their point of view. Well, they were right to do so, I commend them for that.

🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview to the newspaper "Arguments and Facts" (October 21, 2024)

Key Points:

#BRICS

• BRICS epitomises the shifts that have long been underway in the global economy. New centres of economic growth are emerging, and alongside them comes financial influence, which in turn brings political influence.

• BRICS is a consortium where no single nation leads or is led, devoid of the bureaucratic machinery akin to that observed in Brussels, where EU officials impose decisions that contravene the will and interests of several member states, failing to align with the aspirations of voters across many countries.

• BRICS does not stand in opposition to any entity, nor does it orchestrate operations or initiate projects. BRICS is committed to enhancing the combined potential of its nations and devising collaborative strategies for harnessing these potentials for mutual benefit.

• What makes BRICS and other World Majority or Global East associations that do not include Western countries stand out, is that they are not created for the purpose of struggling or fighting with anyone. They are established to collectively benefit from their competitive advantages such as geographical location, shared history, cultural and humanitarian proximity <...>.

#USA

• The US is unwilling to relinquish the reins of power that they have held since World War II through the Bretton Woods institutions and through the role assigned to the US dollar in the international monetary system, even after free exchange of US dollars for gold had been cancelled.

• The key goal of the US ruling class is to make sure no one can undermine their dominance. This goal is illusory. The historical process is objectively heading in a different direction, and this has to be reckoned with.

• We are ready to interact with any administration voted in by the American people, but only if such a dialogue is mutually respectful, and both parties listen and hear what the other party has to say.

#Ukraine

• On multiple occasions, European leaders from Brussels have repeatedly made it clear that they must support Ukraine for as long as it takes, because Ukraine is fighting for the European values.

• It turns out that European leaders are still willing to uphold Nazi values, which is why denazification is not just a motto, but an objective of utmost importance.

#UN

• The United Nations is not a valiant knight expected to “charge in and extinguish the fire” upon witnessing injustice. The UN is an assembly of its member states, each with established rules, including the Security Council's veto rights. The United States has effectively exercised this right five times over the past year, blocking a resolution proposed by several countries, including Russia, demanding an immediate ceasefire. <...> Presently, the United States is taking every measure to avoid antagonising Israel.

• Nations such as India, Brazil, and African representatives should have long held permanent seats on the Security Council. This is essential to ensure representation of the World Majority.

#Finland #Sweden #NATO

• The zeal that the Finns and Swedes are showing in NATO, advocating for defeating Russia, is not only rooted in their historical instincts. They are also eager to show their Big Brothers in the North Atlantic Alliance that they have brought added value <...>.

• I am confident that reasonable people in Europe, who have learned the lessons taught by history, see this too, including in Finland and Sweden.

#Europe

• To reiterate, the so-called right-wing conservatives are loyal to their countries and their people. We will engage with anyone who approaches us with a proposal to talk, to seek common ground, and to think about how we can jointly make the lives of our citizens better.

#EurasianSecurity

• We suggest discussing the Eurasian continent-wide security architecture, emphasising the fact that its doors will be open to everyone, including countries from the West of the Eurasian continent.

Read in full (Telegraph)

Итоги заседания Совета ЕЭК

✅Совет ЕЭК одобрил Общие подходы к развитию регулирования обращения лекарственных средств в рамках Союза в части сбора, анализа и использования данных реальной клинической практики.

✅Совет ЕЭК установил дополнительное упрощение для уполномоченных экономических операторов (УЭО). Упрощение дает УЭО возможность использовать свои площади для хранения товаров, помещенных под таможенную процедуру таможенного склада, и не перемещать товары с одного склада на другой. Теперь иностранные товары можно будет хранить на складах оператора до трех лет (вместо четырех месяцев).

✅Члены Совета ЕЭК рассмотрели вопрос внесения изменений в план мероприятий по реализации Стратегии-2025 по таможенной тематике. Принято решение об увеличении времени, необходимого странам ЕАЭС и Евразийской экономической комиссии для проработки вопросов внесения изменений в Таможенный кодекс Союза, а также вопросов уголовной и административной ответственности за нарушение таможенного законодательства ЕАЭС и национальных норм.

✅Совет Евразийской экономической комиссии принял решение об установлении ставки ввозной таможенной пошлины в отношении искусственных вискозных волокон, не подвергнутых кардо-, гребнечесанию или другой подготовке для прядения (код 5504 10 000 0 ТН ВЭД ЕАЭС), в размере 0% от таможенной стоимости сроком на три года.

✅Совет Евразийской экономической комиссии рассмотрел предложение Российской Федерации о расширении перечня товаров легкой промышленности, подлежащих маркировке средствами идентификации, и принял решение о внесении изменений в действующие нормативно-правовые акты Евразийского экономического союза.

✅ЕАЭС на три года обнулил ввозные пошлины на отдельные виды сырья с содержанием драгоценных металлов.

✅Совет ЕЭК принял перечень мероприятий по реализации основных ориентиров макроэкономической политики государств Евразийского экономического союза на 2024 – 2025 годы, ранее утвержденных главами государств ЕАЭС на заседании Высшего Евразийского экономического совета. Утвержденными основными ориентирами поставлена задача выйти на траекторию ежегодного прироста ВВП ЕАЭС, превышающего темпы развития мировой экономики.

#ЕЭК #ЕАЭС #НовостиЕАЭС

🎙 Excerpt from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview to the newspaper "Arguments and Facts" on BRICS (October 21, 2024)

Read in full

❓ Question: A significant number of countries, approximately 30 or perhaps more, have voiced their intention to join this group. Notably, Türkiye, a NATO member, which was rather surprising to me. Conversely, it has been reported that Kazakhstan, through the statement of President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's Press Secretary, has expressed no intention of joining BRICS in the foreseeable future. Why is there such activity and interest in this group of nations? Why is everyone invited to join it? What are the future prospects for BRICS? Is it not in competition with other international entities?

💬 Sergey Lavrov: #BRICS epitomises the shifts that have long been underway in the global economy. New centres of economic growth are emerging, and alongside them comes financial influence, which in turn brings political influence.

<...>

BRICS has prioritised the needs of its nations, and interest in the grouping continues to grow. It is a consortium where no single nation leads or is led, devoid of the bureaucratic machinery akin to that observed in Brussels, where EU officials impose decisions that contravene the will and interests of several member states <...>

❗️ Rather than addressing the challenges faced by EU members, the Brussels bureaucracy is preoccupied with the transfer of arms to Ukraine, raising funds for this purpose, and undertaking other actions detrimental to the economy, social sphere, and industry of EU member states.

☝️ BRICS, conversely, does not compel any nation to make sacrifices.

Within BRICS, there is no imposition of such artificial objectives, nor is there an intention to contain any nation.

BRICS is committed to enhancing the combined potential of its nations and devising collaborative strategies for harnessing these potentials for mutual benefit. Consequently, rather than relying on artificial constructs, BRICS formulates plans and projects based on real-world needs. <...>

This is precisely what renders BRICS appealing to the Global Majority nations.

About 30 countries seek to establish ties with the group today. Some of them have applied to join as full participants, and others to participate in the BRICS Plus/Outreach format. We are ready to invite them, and have invited them before to various events as guests of the chair.

Following the decision of last year’s summit, we are working at the level of experts and ministers to prepare a proposal on a new BRICS partner country category. Partner countries will enjoy broad rights and privileges, almost equal to the permanent members of BRICS, with just a few exceptions.

One of the countries that announced their interest in becoming a participant in BRICS – and did it publicly – was Türkiye. The country is indeed a member of the North Atlantic Alliance. <...> For decades, Türkiye has not been allowed to join the European Union, with respective talks hindered in every possible way. It is unlikely that the EU will ever change its negative stance, which is another argument in favour of Türkiye’s increasing rapprochement with BRICS.

<...>

🤝 What makes BRICS and other Global Majority or Global East associations that do not include Western countries stand out, is that they are not created for the purpose of struggling or fighting with anyone. They are established to collectively benefit from their competitive advantages such as geographical location, shared history, cultural and humanitarian proximity, and coherence of economic systems, as is the case of the former Soviet republics. This is an objectively occurring process.

The West has been proving time and again that it is not just willing, but never hesitates to use illegal sanctions against any country it sees as a threat to its economic domination, violating the global market economy principles it supposedly champions. All countries see this.

#BRICS2024