#BRICS2024

🎙 Remarks and answers to media questions by President of Russia Vladimir Putin following the results of the XVI BRICS Summit in Kazan (October 24, 2024)

💬 Vladimir Putin: The XVI BRICS Summit has just concluded with great success.

It marked the culmination of Russia's chairmanship of the group and was one of the significant events on the global political calendar.

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Regarding the Kazan Summit itself, delegations from 35 countries and six international organisations participated in it, as you are already aware. Such broad representation clearly underscores the authority and role of BRICS, as well as the growing interest in cooperation with us from states that are indeed pursuing truly independent and sovereign policies.

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📄 The Kazan Declaration which summed up the discussions was approved at the Summit.

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In Kazan, we reaffirmed that BRICS is not a closed format; it is open to all those who share BRICS values. The Group's members are prepared to work towards identifying joint solutions without external pressure or attempts to enforce narrow approaches upon anyone. BRICS is compelled to respond to the burgeoning demand in the world for such cooperation. Accordingly, we devoted particular attention to the matter of potential BRICS expansion through the establishment of a new category — that of partner states.

The Summit has concluded. I wish to express my gratitude once again to all my colleagues, who travelled to Kazan, for their contributions to our collective efforts. I must highlight that their input was quite substantial.

***

Answers to media questions. Key points:

Prospects for the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis

• All the parties are in favour of resolving the conflict at the earliest opportunity, preferably through peaceful means. You may be aware that the People's Republic of China and Brazil put forward an initiative at the General Assembly in New York. Numerous BRICS nations endorse these initiatives, and we, in turn, extend our gratitude to our partners for their attention to this conflict and their pursuit of methods to resolve it.

• We are ready to discuss a peace agreement in any shape or form based on the reality on the ground. That is to say, I am not ready to accept anything else.

On alleged Russia's interference in the US electoral process and the prospects for normalization of Russia-US relations

• This issue has been making headlines for years now. <...> However, after an investigation conducted in the United States, everyone, including US Congress, concluded that it was utter nonsense and that nothing of the kind ever happened. There were no contacts back then, and there are none now.

• Russia-US relations after the elections depend primarily on the United States. If the United States is open to building normal relations with Russia, we will do the same. If not, so be it. This is up to the future Administration.

On global and regional stability, security and building a just world

• Is it fair in terms of security that you have for years disregarded our repeated requests to our partners not to expand NATO eastward? Is it fair that you lied through your teeth, saying that the bloc would not expand while doing precisely that in violation of your commitments? <...> Is it fair that you violated your commitments within the OSCE, when all Western countries signed a document stating that no country may ensure its security at the expense of other countries?

❗️This is not fair. We want to change this, and we will change it.

The situation in the Middle East

• I believe that there is no person on Earth whose heart does not bleed when they see what is happening in Gaza. Over 40,000 people, mostly women and children, have been killed.

• The solution can only be found by addressing the root causes, the primary one being the lack of a fully recognized, sovereign Palestinian state. It is necessary to implement all relevant UN Security Council resolutions on this matter.

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🎙 Из ответов Президента России Владимира Путина на вопросы СМИ в ходе пресс-конференции по итогам XVI саммита БРИКС.

Читайте полностью

❓ Вопрос: Я прочитал итоговую декларацию БРИКС, и там говорится о необходимости глобальной и региональной стабильности, безопасности и справедливого мира. Девиз российского председательства в БРИКС включает такие понятия, по-моему, – справедливости и безопасности. Но как всё это соотносится с вашими действиями в последние два с половиной года, со вторжением российских войск в Украину? Где справедливость, стабильность и безопасность, в том числе безопасность России? Потому что до начала СВО не было ни атак дронов по российской территории, ни обстрелов российских городов, ни иностранных войск, оккупирующих российскую территорию, – этого не было.

И последнее: как это всё соотносится с недавним заявлением британской разведки о том, что Россия поставила перед собой цель сеять хаос на улицах Британии и Европы поджогами, диверсиями и так далее? Где стабильность?

💬 В.В.Путин: Начну с безопасности России, потому что для меня это самое главное.

Вы сказали про удары дронов и так далее. Да, этого не было, но была гораздо худшая ситуация. Ситуация заключалась в том, что нам на наши постоянные и настойчивые предложения наладить контакты и отношения со странами западного мира всё время указывали на своё место. Я могу вам совершенно определённо это сказать. Так вроде всё ласково, но в принципе нам всегда показывали своё место.

И это место в конечном счёте привело бы к скатыванию России в разряд второстепенных государств, которые выполняют исключительно функцию сырьевых придатков с потерей в известной степени и в большом объёме суверенитета страны.

Россия в таком качестве не только развиваться, она существовать не может.

Россия не может существовать, если она теряет свой суверенитет.

Выход России из этого состояния, укрепление своего суверенитета, независимости в экономике, в финансах, в военном деле означает повышение нашей безопасности и означает создание условий для её уверенного развития в будущем как самостоятельного государства, полноценного и самодостаточного, с теми партнёрами, каких мы имеем в БРИКС, которые уважают независимость России.

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Я понимаю, о чём Вы говорите. Но разве справедливо с точки зрения безопасности годами игнорировать наши постоянные обращения к партнёрам не расширять НАТО на восток? Разве справедливо врать нам в лицо, обещая, что такого расширения не будет, и, нарушая взятые на себя обязательства, делать это? Разве справедливо забраться к нам вот в «подбрюшье», в ту же Украину, и начать там строить, не готовиться, а именно уже строить военные базы? Разве это справедливо?

А справедливо провести государственный переворот, наплевав на все принципы международного права и Устава ООН, финансируя переворот в другой стране, в данном случае на Украине, и подтолкнув ситуацию к её развитию в направлении горячей фазы? Разве это справедливо с точки зрения всемирной безопасности?

А разве справедливо нарушать взятые на себя обязательства в рамках ОБСЕ, когда все страны Запада подписали бумагу, согласно которой не может быть безопасности одной стороны при нарушении безопасности другой? <...>

☝️ Никакой справедливости здесь нет, мы хотим поменять эту ситуацию, и мы добьёмся этого.

❓ Вопрос: По поводу утверждения британской разведки, что Россия сеет хаос на улицах Британии.

💬 В.В.Путин: Cпасибо Вам за то, что Вы напомнили мне про эту часть, – это полная чушь.

То, что происходит на улицах некоторых европейских городов, – это результат внутренней политики этих государств. Но мы же с вами знаем: на грани рецессии балансирует европейская экономика, а ведущие экономики еврозоны, они в рецессии фактически. <...>

Западные страны, европейские, взяли и отказались от наших энергоносителей. Ну мы же не отказываемся. До сих пор существует одна нитка по дну Балтийского моря – «Северный поток – 2». Что стоит немецким властям? Просто кнопку нажать, и всё пошло.

Но они не делают этого по политическим соображениям.

🔎 На сайте Посольства опубликована статья Генерального консула России в Киркенесе Н.А.Коныгина «К 80-й годовщине освобождения северной Норвегии»
(на русском языке 🇷🇺).

🔎 På ambassadens nettside ble det publisert artikkelen til Generalkonsul i Kirkenes N.A.Konygin «80 års jubileum for frigjøringen av Nord-Norge» (på norsk 🇳🇴).

🗓️ 25 октября 2024 года - 80-летие освобождения Красной армией Восточного Финнмарка

💬 Торжественная церемония в Киркенесе 25 октября

🗓️ 25. oktober 2024 - 80 år for den Røde armes frigjøringen av Øst-Finnmark

💬 Høytidelig seremoni i Kirkenes 25.oktober

Ever ask yourself a question ❓ What do you really know about Russia? What lies have the MSM spoon-fed you?

'Inland Visions' follows host Sean Thomas across the country to shed those stereotypes. Prepare to discover Russia anew and see a new perspective on what the largest country in the world is all about.

📹 This time the programme explores the enchanting palace of Peterhof, dubbed the 'Russian Versailles'.

Known for its grand architecture, impressive fountains, and beautifully landscaped gardens, the royal estate near St. Petersburg embodies grandeur and luxury of the Russian Empire.

⛲️ One of Peterhof’s main highlights is its fountains. The Grand Cascade, with over 60 fountains and numerous statues, is an engineering marvel that relies entirely on gravity to function — no pumps are used.

🏰 Not only the fountains are remarkable — the Grand Palace, a lavish residence with opulent rooms & stunning interiors, also showcases the lifestyle of the Russian nobility.

Join 'Inland Visions' on a royal journey through captivating interiors, find peace in the heavenly gardens, and see what it takes to make hundreds of fountains work simultaneously!

🎙 Statement by the Representative of the Delegation of the Russian Federation Roman Kolesnikov at the Thematic Discussion on "Regional Disarmament and Security" in the First Committee of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (New York, October 28, 2024)

💬 Regional security in various parts of the world has been put to most serious tests over recent years. Tensions are increasing, bellicose rhetoric is growing, current long-standing regional conflicts renew more intensively, new hotbeds of tension are emerging, and the "collective West" has finally chosen the path of forceful dominance in the world. <...>

These global military security trends continue to gain momentum in Europe as well. The reason is the course set by the US and its NATO allies for open confrontation with Russia, undermining the foundations of European security and breaking the comprehensive system of arms control and confidence-building measures. <...>

Russia has always believed the system of international arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation agreements to be the cornerstone of international security. However, this system has noticeably deteriorated recently at the whim of Western countries.

For several decades, the United States and its NATO allies have continued the process initiated to break key agreements in the field of arms control and confidence-building:

🔻 in 2002, Washington unilaterally terminated the Soviet‑US Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty,
🔻 in 2019, Washington withdrew from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty,
🔻 In 2020, Washington withdrew from the Open Skies Treaty, which forced us to cease participation in it.

🔻 In response to the decision of Sweden and Finland to join NATO, which finally and irrevocably destroyed the CFE Treaty system of restrictions, we decided to withdraw from this Treaty in 2023.

Even a brief list of facts makes it clear who is responsible for the present very deplorable security situation and further deterioration of the military-political environment in the world.

It is possible to return the situation under control and normalize it only on the basis of compliance with the generally recognized norms of international law, the UN principles of activities, its Charter, goals and objectives.

👉 Attempts to resume any dialogue are doomed to failure until the North Atlantic Alliance actually abandons its current anti-Russian policy. Given the current lack of trust and open hostility on the part of Washington and collective Brussels, it is unfounded and naive to expect progress from us in matters of conventional arms control in Europe.

Shaping such a regime in the future, if and when it becomes possible, will definitely require fundamentally new approaches and inevitable consideration of Russia's national interests.

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✉️ Excerpt from the President of Russia Vladimir Putin's greetings to participants and guests at the 8th World Congress of Compatriots Living Abroad (October 30, 2024)

✍️ Russia is steadfastly intensifying its endeavours to support foreign compatriots.

✅ Most recently, the opportunities for restoring and acquiring Russian citizenship have been significantly expanded.

✅ The mechanisms of the State Voluntary Resettlement Programme, under which more than 1.2 million individuals have already entered our country, are being continuously enhanced.

✅ The Foundation for Supporting and Protecting the Rights of Compatriots Living Abroad allocates additional resources to those in need of legal assistance.

I am pleased to acknowledge that, despite the formidable challenges and harassment faced today in the West by citizens who uphold spiritual ties with Russia and share our moral values, over 400 representatives of Russian communities from more than a hundred states have assembled at this Congress.

🤝 Naturally, for delegates residing in unfriendly countries, travelling to Moscow to participate in this event demanded personal courage. I wish to express my sincere gratitude to those who, even under the most challenging circumstances, persist in actively defending the international standing of Russian culture and the Russian language.

I am confident that during the Congress, you will not only deliberate on the issues confronting Russian communities abroad today, but also propose new ideas and initiatives that will serve to consolidate the vast Russian world and realise its immense creative potential

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's opening remarks at the 8th World Congress of Compatriots

📍Moscow, October 30, 2024

💬 Sergey Lavrov: The situation on the international stage has not improved over the past three years since the previous congress held in October 2021.

The US-led collective West has actually redoubled its systemic efforts at containing Russia, launching a full-scale hybrid war against our country with the aim of inflicting a “strategic defeat” on it.

Washington and its NATO vassals are openly speaking about pushing Russia to the margins of global development.

But all efforts by those who wish evil to Russia are in vain, and are doomed to fail.

In fact, Russia has been carrying out the special military operation with great resolve and confidence in an effort to ensure its legitimate security interests and prevent Ukraine from turning into a hostile entity under NATO’s control. <...>

Make no mistake, Russia will achieve all the goals of the special military operation as defined by President Vladimir Putin. We will secure and reliably ensure Russia’s security, and enable our citizens and compatriots to live in honour and dignity, to live where their forefathers used to live, and to speak their mother tongue, preserve their history and their spiritual and moral values.

Attempts to isolate Russia on the international stage also failed miserably.

The nations of the Global Majority refused to toe the Western line and opted for forging closer ties with Russia in various settings and sectors. The outcomes of the BRICS Summit in Kazan, held as part of Russia’s chairmanship, prove this point. The people of the Global South and East understand that a sovereign and assertive Russia presents a major force in terms of shaping a multipolar world order with greater justice for all in keeping with the principles of the UN Charter not in word, but in deed. Instead of handpicking these principles at its discretion, Russia adheres to all of them considering their interconnected and holistic nature. This world order will reflect the interests and aspirations of the entire humankind, rather than just a few countries belonging to the so-called Golden Billion.

We do understand that the developments around the world have affected the way we operate. This is what President Vladimir Putin said in his message. The coordination councils for the organisations of compatriots and other associations of compatriots have come under serious pressure in unfriendly countries, including manifestations of a Russia-hating attitude, and other forms of discrimination, as well as attempts to cancel Russian culture and eliminate the Russian language from the public space and even from everyday life. There is also an effort to sow division within the global Orthodoxy.

Faced with this unprecedented pressure, you have preserved your spiritual, cultural and linguistic bond with your historical Motherland, and have been contributing to reinforcing our international standing. The fact that this congress brought together so many high-profile participants demonstrates that all attempts to alienate the members of the Russian world from one another will fail, no matter who tries to achieve this goal.

The theme of the Congress, Together with Russia, is more pertinent than ever. The current global situation necessitates additional exertion and synergy of efforts.

<...>

❗️ The Russian government will continue to support your aspirations to benefit your historical Motherland, promote its economic growth and social progress, and strengthen its international role. There is no doubt that our joint efforts will help preserve and increase the creative potential of the Russian world as our legacy for future generations.

🎙 Statement by the Representative of the Delegation of the Russian Federation at the thematic discussion on "Disarmament machinery" in the First Committee of the 79th Session of the UNGA (New York, October 29, 2024)

Key points

• We ascribe the key (central) role in addressing issues of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation (ACDN), as well as international peace and global security, to the UN, in full accordance with its Charter.

• The ongoing unlawful practice of visa refusals by the US authorities in regard to the leading experts of the Russian delegation are a significant counterproductive factor in the work of the UNGA First Committee.

• It is necessary to intensify the progressive and constructive work of all elements of the unique disarmament "triad" – the UNGA First Committee, the UN Disarmament Commission (UNDC), and the Conference on Disarmament (CD).

• The ongoing attempts by Western States to undermine multilateral disarmament fora and use the United Nations to serve their own vested ambitions without taking into account the interests of other Member States, primarily developing countries, require special attention of the international community.

• We note that meaningful results in the field of the ACDN could be achieved only should the necessary political will be demonstrated by Member States.

• We are convinced of the need to consolidate the international community around a creative and constructive agenda in order to maintain and enhance the existing system of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation agreements.

• Russia, for its part, will continue its efforts towards improving the effectiveness and coherence of the disarmament triad. It is important to oppose any attempts to revise the UN disarmament machinery.

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🎙 Statement by the Representative of the Delegation of the Russian Federation at the Thematic Discussion on "Outer Space (Disarmament Aspects)" in the First Committee of the 79th Session of the UN General Assembly (New York, October 29, 2024)

⚠️ The course pursued by the United States and a number of Western countries towards placing weapons in outer space, building up the capabilities for the use of force against space objects (primarily through the development of weapon systems intended for the treat or use of force in, from or against outer space) and using outer space for combat operations continues to undermine international peace and security. <...>

We would like to once again highlight in particular the extremely dangerous trend going beyond the harmless use of space technologies, which became evident during the events in Ukraine. We are talking about the components of civilian, including commercial, infrastructure in outer space engaged by the United States and its allies for military purposes. These States do not realize that such activities actually constitute indirect participation in armed conflicts. <...>

We are convinced that it is still possible at the current stage to prevent a full‑scale arms race in outer space; the point of no return has not yet been passed. To these ends, we renew our call on UN Member States to reaffirm their commitment to existing international legally binding agreements governing outer space activities.

At the national and international levels obligations should be undertaken not to place weapons of any kind in outer space (including in the Earth orbit and on celestial bodies) and the use or threat of force against and by means of outer space objects should be prohibited as well; it is important to establish a comprehensive ban on space strike weapons designed to destroy outer space objects.

We would like to recall our specific proposals:

❌ not to use outer space objects as a means of destroying any targets on Earth, in the atmosphere or outer space;

❌ not to create, test or deploy weapons in outer space, not to use space weapons for missile defence, as anti-satellite means, not to attack targets on Earth or in the atmosphere, as well as to eliminate such systems already possessed by States;

❌ not to destroy, damage, disrupt the normal functioning or change the flight trajectory of other States’ outer space objects without their consent;

❌ not to assist or incite other States, groups of States, international, intergovernmental, as well as any non-governmental organizations, including non-governmental legal entities established, registered or located on the territory under their jurisdiction and/or control, to participate in the above-mentioned activities.

☝️ It is important to understand that without reliable guarantees on keeping outer space free of weapons, enshrined in an international legally binding instrument on PAROS, it is pointless to address issues related to the peaceful use of outer space and ensuring safety of outer space activities.

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⚡️ О ситуации вокруг БАПОР

28 октября израильский Кнессет утвердил пакет из двух законопроектов с запретом деятельности Ближневосточного агентства помощи палестинским беженцам и организации работ (БАПОР) и с отзывом иммунитетов и привилегий у этой структуры ООН.

После вступления данных законопроектов в силу в течение 90 дней работа Агентства на оккупированной палестинской территории – сектор Газа, Западный берег р.Иордан, включая Восточный Иерусалим – будет остановлена.

❌ В практическом плане это станет ещё одной формой коллективного наказания миллионов палестинцев, для которых #БАПОР был и остается, по сути, единственным и безальтернативным источником комплексной поддержки в сферах гуманитарного содействия, образования, здравоохранения и социальных услуг. Показательный пример – более 650 000 палестинских детей будут лишены возможности учиться.

Данные решения были приняты на фоне беспрецедентного кровопролития в зоне арабо-израильского конфликта. В результате израильской военной операции сектор Газа за последний год превратился в сплошную зону боевых действий с самыми интенсивными бомбардировками гражданского населения со времен Второй мировой войны и по факту отсутствующим гуманитарным доступом.

В этих условиях БАПОР был последней «дорогой жизни» для палестинцев в Газе ценой собственных жертв. 237 сотрудников были убиты (многие целыми семьями), около 200 объектов разрушены, десятки человек произвольно задержаны.

Это стало крупнейшей единовременной потерей ООН с момента ее основания.

Представители израильского руководства объясняют свои решения, обвиняя сотрудников БАПОР в причастности к атаке ХАМАС 7 октября 2023 года. Под этим же предлогом США ранее отозвали донорское финансирование Агентства, а Израиль запустил процесс его демонтажа.

Однако до сих пор, несмотря на целый ряд ооновских запросов, доказательства в подтверждение своих обвинений израильская сторона так и не предоставила. Проведенные независимый обзор и внутренняя проверка деятельности Агентства не выявили нарушений и подтвердили соблюдение принципа нейтральности.

Мандат БАПОР определен резолюцией 302 (IV) ГА ООН и действует до 30 июня 2026 года. В 1949 году Израиль был принят в ООН при условии соблюдения и выполнения двух краеугольных резолюций ГА ООН – 181 с Планом раздела Палестины на два государства (еврейское и арабское) и 194 о палестинских беженцах, находящихся на попечении БАПОР. Международный суд ООН в своем втором консультативном заключении от 19 июля о последствиях израильской оккупации констатировал, что Израиль не имеет права на суверенитет над какой-либо частью оккупированной палестинской территории или осуществление суверенных полномочий на ней.

Таким образом, принятие данных законопроектов не только нарушает нормы международного права, включая решения ГА ООН и Устав ООН, но и противоречит условиям приёма Израиля в ООН. Одновременно возникает угроза прекращения оказания жизненно необходимой помощи миллионам палестинцев на оккупированной территории, лишения их последних средств к выживанию на фоне беспрецедентной эскалации насилия.

Россия поддерживает призывы Генсекретаря ООН, в том числе в его письме на имя Председателя Генассамблеи ООН от 28 октября, и Генерального комиссара БАПОР к Израилю соблюдать свои международно-правовые обязательства, отменить или не вводить в силу указанные законопроекты.

❗️ Российская сторона будет и впредь предпринимать усилия на площадках СБ и ГА ООН в защиту мандата Агентства в интересах продолжения его уникальной работы по оказанию помощи палестинцам как на ОПТ, так и в соседних арабских странах.