🎙 Statement by the Representative of the Delegation of the Russian Federation in explanation of vote on a draft resolution "Artificial intelligence in the military domain and its implications for international peace and security" L.43 in the First Committee of the 79th session of the UNGA (New York, 6 November, 2024)

💬 Russia voted against the draft resolution ennoscriptd “Military applications of artificial intelligence and their implications for international peace and security” (L.43). We also voted against paragraphs PP2, PP8, PP9, OP5, OP6, OP8 and abstained on all other paragraphs put to the vote.

Russia has consistently opposed any international initiatives that could lead to the fragmentation of work or undermine the efforts of the international community to seek international consensus on such an important and sensitive issue as the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in military domain.

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We oppose the recognition in the draft resolution of only one approach to the future possible regulation of military use of AI, which is a so-called “responsible application” of artificial intelligence in the military domain (PP2, PP9, OP5, OP6).

We consider it inexpedient to attempt to predetermine the outcome of the consideration of the issues of application of AI in the military domain, which in the future may include the elaboration of specialized international treaties and/or “soft law” instruments based on concepts other than the notorious “responsible behavior”.

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We find it unacceptable to welcome some regional and non-inclusive events promoting the views of a narrow group of States on the problem of the military use of AI technologies, which are then imposed on the international community as certain “ready-made solutions”. We are referring, among other things, to the Summit on Responsible Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain (REAIM).

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🎙 Statement by the Representative of the Delegation of the Russian Federation in explanation of vote on a draft resolution "Lethal autonomous weapons systems" L.77 in the First Committee of the 79th session of the UNGA (New York, 6 November, 2024)

💬 This year, as well as last year, Russia voted against the draft resolution “Lethal autonomous weapons systems” (L.77).

In doing so, we also voted against its paragraphs PP1, PP9, PP10, PP13, OP7, OP8, OP9, OP10, OP11 and OP12, the contents of which we strongly disagree with, and abstained on all other paragraphs which were put on a separate vote.

We are convinced that the document pursues an unacceptable goal for us, which was also enshrined in UNGA resolution 78/241, to undermine the work of the Group of Governmental Experts on Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems (GGE on LAWs) established within the framework of the Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons (CCW).

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The inconsistent use of the term “lethal autonomous weapons systems” and “autonomous weapons systems” throughout the draft is also a matter of concern. The resolution could, among other things, provoke legal uncertainty and thus negatively affect the efforts within the GGE on LAWs to agree on a common characterization of this category of weapons. <...>

We are convinced that appropriate weapon systems can demonstrate much greater effectiveness than human operators in accomplishing their tasks and reduce the likelihood of errors and miscalculations.

Consequently, any discussion on LAWs should be conducted in a balanced manner and take into account both the possible disadvantages and advantages of this category of weapons.

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🎙 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview to the TV BRICS international media network (Moscow, November 2, 2024)

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Key talking points

✅ The XVI BRICS Summit underscored the rapidly growing influence of #BRICS and the eagerness of numerous countries to engage with its initiatives.

• Several countries have applied to become full members, while others have expressed interest in joining as partner states – a new category established at the Summit in Kazan.

• The Kazan Declaration that was adopted was based of what we call the balance of interests. Unlike at some Western forums, there was no attempt to exert pressure on anyone. Instead, we sought mutually acceptable language, which we successfully identified on all matters.

👉 The highlight of this declaration is the urgent need to substantially increase the representation of countries from the Global South and Global East in global governance mechanisms, including the UN Security Council, the IMF, the World Bank, and the WTO.

• Reform of existing institutions remains on the agenda, but concurrently – and this is a shared perspective and one of the most significant conclusions of the BRICS efforts at this stage – leading up to the final phase of the Russian chairmanship, there is a collective desire to establish alternative payment mechanisms. <...> A parallel system is deemed necessary, given the dollar's increasing use as an aggressive tool in the global economy.

• Support was also given to sector-specific initiatives, including our proposal to begin preparations for establishing a BRICS grain exchange, as well as investment and geological platforms. This initiative primarily originated from the African countries within BRICS.

• Additionally, we proposed two projects – the formation of working groups on transport and nuclear medicine – which received backing both at the BRICS meeting itself and in the adopted Declaration.

🇺🇳 A more equitable representation of the Global South and East in global governance mechanisms implies reforming the UN and its Security Council.

• We have clearly reaffirmed our stance: we support only the increased representation of Asia, Africa, and Latin America. The West is already disproportionately represented there. <...> Specifically, we support India, Brazil, and the collective initiative promoted by the African Union to reform the Security Council.

• Particular attention was paid to the crisis in the Middle East and the catastrophe facing the Palestinian people, which is now spilling over into neighbouring countries such as Lebanon, Iraq, Syria, and Yemen. The Declaration contains a robust paragraph on the urgent need to halt this bloodshed.

• We have not shied away from discussing the Ukrainian crisis. Quite the opposite, during the preparations and throughout the summit, we engaged in proactive discussions, with Russian President Vladimir Putin addressing this issue. We reached a fundamentally important agreement on the wording in the Declaration <...> emphasising that the primary objective now is to seek solutions based on the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and in interrelation.

❗️ The Nazi regime in Kiev flagrantly violates the key principles of the Charter, while the West praises it, claiming they are defending "European values." These issues must be brought to light.

#BRICS2024

🎙 Excerpts from President of Russia Vladimir Putin's speech in the plenary session of the 21st annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club (November 7, 2024)

💬 Vladimir Putin: The moment of truth is fast approaching.

The former world arrangement is irreversibly passing away, actually it has already passed away, and a serious, irreconcilable struggle is unfolding for the development of a new world order. It is irreconcilable, above all, because this is not even a fight for power or geopolitical influence.

It is a clash of the very principles that will underlie the relations of countries and peoples at the next historical stage. Its outcome will determine whether we will be able, through joint efforts, to build a world that will allow all nations to develop and resolve emerging contradictions based on mutual respect for cultures and civilisations, without coercion and use of force. And finally, whether the human society will be able to retain its ethical humanistic principles, and whether an individual will be able to remain human.

At first glance, it might appear that there is no alternative. Yet, regrettably, there is. It is the dive of humanity into the depths of aggressive anarchy, internal and external splits, the erosion of traditional values, the emergence of new forms of tyranny, and the actual renunciation of the classical principles of democracy, along with fundamental rights and freedoms.

Increasingly often, democracy is being interpreted not as the rule of majority but of minority. Traditional democracy and the rule of the people are being set against an abstract notion of freedom, for the sake of which, as some argue, democratic procedures, elections, majority opinion, freedom of speech, and an unbiased media can be disregarded or sacrificed.

The peril lies in the imposition of totalitarian ideologies and making them the norm, as exemplified by the current state of Western liberalism. This modern Western liberalism, in my view, has degenerated into extreme intolerance and aggression towards any alternative or sovereign and independent thought. Today, it even seeks to justify neo-Nazism, terrorism, racism, and even the mass genocide of civilians.

Moreover, there are international conflicts and confrontations fraught with the danger of mutual destruction. Weapons that can cause this do exist and are being constantly improved, taking new forms as the technologies advance. The number of nations possessing such weapons is growing, and no one can guarantee that these weapons will not be used, especially if threats incrementally multiply and legal and moral norms are ultimately shattered.

❗️We have come close to the dangerous point.

The West’s calls to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia, a nation with the largest arsenal of nuclear weapons, reveal the reckless adventurism of certain Western politicians.

Such blind faith in their own impunity and exceptionalism could lead to a global catastrophe.

Efforts to cling to their diminishing power through force result only in widespread instability and more tensions, leading to casualties and destruction. However, these efforts fail to achieve the desired outcome of maintaining absolute, unchallenged power.

For the march of history cannot be halted.

🎙 Excerpts from President of Russia Vladimir Putin's speech in the plenary session of the XXI annual meeting of the Valdai International Discussion Club (November 7, 2024)

#MultipolarWorld

💬 In the emerging multipolar world, there should be no nations or peoples left as losers or feeling aggrieved and humiliated.

Only then can we secure truly sustainable conditions for universal, equitable, and secure development.

Understanding the general trajectory – from hegemony to a complex world of multilateral cooperation – allows us to attempt to sketch at least some of the pending contours.

👉 Firstly, openness to interaction stands as the paramount value cherished by the overwhelming majority of nations and peoples. The endeavour to construct artificial barriers is not only flawed because it impedes normal and advantageous to everyone economic progression, but also because it is particularly perilous amidst natural disasters and socio-political turmoil, which, unfortunately, are all too common in international affairs. <...>

👉 Secondly, we have consistently underscored the diversity of the world as a prerequisite for its sustainability.

The international community is a living entity, with its civilisational diversity making it unique and presenting an inherent value.

👉 Thirdly, we have said more than once that the new world can develop successfully only through the broadest inclusion. The experience of the last couple of decades has clearly demonstrated what usurpation leads to, when someone arrogates to themselves the right to speak and act on behalf of others.

Those countries that are commonly referred to as great powers have come to believe that they are ennoscriptd to dictate to others what their interests are – in fact, to define others’ national interests based on their own. Not only does this violate the principles of democracy and justice, but worst of all, it hinders an actual solution to the problems at hand.

👉 Fourtly, the key principle of security for all without exception is that the security of one nation cannot be ensured at the expense of others’ security. I am not saying anything new. It has been set out in OSCE documents. It only needs to be implemented.

The bloc policy and the legacy of the Cold War colonial era run contrary to the essence of the new international system, which is open and flexible. There is only one bloc in the world that is held together by the so-called obligations and strict ideological dogmas and cliches.

NATO, which continues expansion to Eastern Europe and is now trying to spread its approaches to other parts of the world, contrary to its own statutory documents, is a blatant anachronism.

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The future Eurasian security system, now beginning to take shape across our vast continent, is founded on a spirit of respect and mutual consideration of interests. This approach is not only genuinely multilateral but also multifaceted.

👉 My fifth point is about justice for all. Inequality is the true scourge of the modern world. Countries face social tension and political instability within their borders due to inequality <...>

👉 My sixth point is that we keep emphasising that sovereign equality is an imperative for any lasting international framework. <...>

The most harmful and destructive attitude that we see in the modern world is supreme arrogance, which translates into a desire to condescendingly lecture others, endlessly and obsessively.

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The modern world tolerates neither arrogance nor wanton disregard for others being different. To build normal relationships, above all, one needs to listen to the other party and try to understand their logic and cultural background, rather than expecting them to think and act the way you think they should based on your beliefs about them. Otherwise, communication turns into an exchange of clichés and flinging labels, and politics devolves into a conversation of the deaf.

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