🎙 Excerpt from the press statement by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin (May 11, 2025)

💬 Vladimir Putin: Russia has proposed ceasefire initiatives on several occasions, but they, these initiatives, have been repeatedly sabotaged by Ukraine.

For example, the Kiev regime defiantly violated about 130 times the 30-day – I want to make it a point – 30-day moratorium, from March 18 to April 17, on strikes against energy facilities, which was declared in accordance with our agreement with US President Donald Trump.

The Easter truce initiated by Russia was not observed either: the ceasefire regime was violated by Ukrainian forces almost 5,000 times.

Nevertheless, for the celebration of Victory Day – and we consider this to be a sacred holiday for us as well, just imagine that we lost 27 million people – we declared a ceasefire for the third time on this holiday, which is sacred to us.

Incidentally we conveyed to those of our colleagues in the West who, in my opinion, are sincerely looking for ways to settlement, our position on this issue, on a ceasefire on Victory Day, and that in the future we do not exclude the possibility of extending the terms of this truce – but, of course, after analysing what will happen in these several days, based on the results of how the Kiev regime will react to our proposal.

And what do we see? What are these results?

The Kiev authorities, as you can see for yourself, did not respond at all to our ceasefire proposal.

<...>

As I have already said, the Kiev authorities not only declined our ceasefire proposal, but also, as we all saw, tried to intimidate the leaders of the states who gathered for the celebrations in Moscow.

<...>

I will repeat: we have proposed steps towards a ceasefire on many occasions. We have never refused to engage in dialogue with the Ukrainian side. Let me remind you again: it was not us who interrupted the negotiations in 2022; it was the Ukrainian side.

❗️ In this connection, despite everything, we propose that the authorities in Kiev should resume the negotiations that they interrupted at the end of 2022 and resume direct talks. And, I stress, without any preconditions.

We suggest starting without delay next Thursday, May 15, in Istanbul, where they were held earlier and where they were interrupted. <...>

Tomorrow we are going to have a conversation with the President of Turkiye, Mr Erdogan. I would like to ask him to provide such an opportunity to hold talks in Turkiye. I hope that he will confirm his desire to contribute to the search for peace in Ukraine.

We are set on serious negotiations with Ukraine. Their aim is to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and to achieve a long-term lasting peace for a historical perspective.

We do not rule out that in the course of these negotiations it will become possible to agree on some kind of new truce and a new ceasefire. And a real ceasefire that would be observed not only by Russia but also by the Ukrainian side and would be the first step, I repeat, towards a long-term, sustainable peace, rather than a prelude to continuing armed conflict after the Ukrainian armed forces have been rearmed, re-equipped and frantically digged trenches and new strongholds. Who needs such peace?

Our proposal is, as they say, on the table. The decision is now up to Ukrainian authorities and their supervisors, who are seemingly guided by their personal political ambitions, rather than the interests of their peoples, want to continue the war against Russia at the hands of Ukrainian nationalists.

Let me reiterate myself: Russia is ready for talks without any preliminary conditions. There are combat actions and war going on now, and we propose to resume negotiations that were not interrupted by us.

Well, what's wrong about it?

Those who really want peace cannot but support this.

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⚡️ Statement by Vladimir Medinsky, Head of the Russian Delegation, following Russia-Ukraine talks in Istanbul (16 May 2025)

💬 The direct negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation, convened at the initiative of the President of Russia, have just concluded.

Overall, we are satisfied with the outcome and are prepared to maintain contacts.

This is what we agreed on:

1. A large-scale exchange of prisoners of war will take place in the coming days — 1,000 for 1,000.

2. The Ukrainian side has requested direct talks between the heads of state. We have taken note of this request.

3. We have agreed that each side will present its vision of a possible future ceasefire and spell it out in detail.

Once this vision has been presented, we believe it would be appropriate, as also agreed, to continue our negotiations.

❌ Под начало переговоров в Стамбуле британское руководство выступило с очередной порцией антироссийских выпадов в контексте украинского кризиса. Налицо хрестоматийный пример пропаганды, в котором истинное положение дел беззастенчиво переворачивается с ног на голову.

Старые обвинения Даунинг-стрит в адрес нашей страны в стремлении затянуть конфликт и создать препятствия переговорному процессу сейчас звучат особенно лицемерно. Как известно, именно Лондон приложил немалые усилия сначала для срыва переговорного процесса в 2022 году, а впоследствии для удержания конфликта в горячем состоянии.

❗️ Британцы – авторы всех эскалационных манёвров Запада, начиная с поставок киевской военщине наступательных вооружений и вплоть до применения западных дальнобойных ракетных вооружений по мирным гражданам в глубине территории России. <...>

Откровенное недоумение вызвало поспешное заявление премьер-министра Британии о том, что позиция России на переговорах в Стамбуле неприемлема и, мол, готовится ответ. Это кому она неприемлема? Мы не с Лондоном ведём переговоры.

Наконец, абсолютно бесполезны очередные попытки Лондона запугать нашу страну угрозами новых неправомерных ограничений в случае «ослушания».

Предыдущий санкционный выпад, предпринятый британцами в святой для России праздник 9 мая, вызвал у нас только сомнения в приверженности руководства Альбиона памяти о подвиге союзников в борьбе с фашизмом. Теперь же подобные ультиматумы, сделанные на фоне переговорного процесса, очевидно, преследуют цель усложнения или подрыва урегулирования. Вот только, похоже, на Даунинг-стрит не осознают саморазоблачающего характера своих действий.

☝️ Лондону самое время определиться, намерен ли он продолжать быть партией войны.

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❌ As negotiations commenced in Istanbul, the UK leadership launched yet another barrage of anti-Russian allegations regarding the crisis in Ukraine. This is a textbook example of propaganda, wherein the true state of affairs is shamelessly turned on its head.

Downing Street's tired accusations against Russia — alleging an intention to prolong the conflict and obstruct the peace process — today sound particularly hypocritical. It is well known that London went to great lengths to first undermine the negotiation process in 2022 and later to keep the conflict aflame.

❗️ Britain has been a chief architect of the West's escalatory tactics, ranging from supplying Ukraine's military with offensive weapons to using Western long-range missiles against civilians deep inside Russian territory. <...>

Equally perplexing is the British Prime Minister's rushed statement that Russia's position at the Istanbul talks is "unacceptable" and that a response is being prepared. Unacceptable to whom, exactly? Last time we checked, it was not Britain we were negotiating with.

Finally, London's latest attempts to intimidate our country by threatening new unlawful restrictions should Russia fail to "comply" are worthless.

The most recent sanctions, disgracefully announced on 9 May — the most sacred date for Russia — have only served to further erode trust in the UK government’s commitment to the shared legacy of the Allies' fight against Nazism. Similar ultimatums issued in the midst of negotiations appear to be designed to hinder or sabotage the settlement. However, it seems that Downing Street does not realise how self-revealing its actions are.

☝️ It is high time for London to decide whether it wants to remain a party of war.

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⚡️ President Vladimir Putin's statement to the press following his phone conversation with President Donald Trump

💬 Vladimir Putin: The conversation [with the President of the United States] <...> lasted for over two hours. I would emphasise that it was both very substantive and quite frank. Overall, I found it very useful in this regard.

First and foremost, I thanked the President of the United States for supporting the resumption of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine on a possible peace agreement. These talks were suspended by the Ukrainian side back in 2022, as you know.

The US President set out his position on the cessation of hostilities and a ceasefire. For our part, I emphasized that Russia supports a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine conflict. We must simply identify the most effective path toward peace.

We have agreed with the US President that Russia will propose a memorandum on a potential future peace agreement and is ready to work with the Ukrainian side on this. It would include defining such positions as the principles of the settlement, the timeframe for concluding a potential peace agreement, and a possible ceasefire for a certain period of time, should appropriate agreements be reached.

Notably, contacts between participants of the Istanbul talks have resumed. This gives us reason to believe that, broadly speaking, we are moving in the right direction.

Let me stress once again that I rated the conversation very highly and found it very constructive. The issue is, of course, that both the Russian and the Ukrainian sides should demonstrate maximum desire for peace and find compromises that would satisfy all parties.

☝️ At the same time, I would like to underscore that Russia's position remains clear. Our primary goal is to eliminate the root causes of this crisis.

🤦 Анонсировав 20 мая очередные неправомерные ограничительные меры, британские власти явно преследовали цель перещеголять новоявленных «стратегических партнёров» из Евросоюза с их наспех свёрстанным 17-м пакетом.

Новый британский «стоп-лист» представляет собой не оригинальную, понадёрганную от самых разных стран и отраслей комбинацию людей, организаций и морских судов. В попытке «догнать и перегнать» Европу правительство его Величества не остановилось даже перед тем, чтобы поразить в правах собственного подданного – как водится, без суда и следствия.

Рвение правительства Кира Стармера на затоптанной санкционной ниве едва ли будет по достоинству оценено всё более разочаровывающимся в нем британским электоратом, соседями по континенту (где англичан после «брекзита» воспринимают как просителей и обращаются соответственно) и, тем более, старшими заокеанскими союзниками.

Помимо прочего, предпринятый Лондоном агрессивный выпад на фоне развивающегося в т.ч. на высшем уровне российско-американского диалога, ориентированного на поиск взаимоприемлемых подходов к долгосрочному урегулированию украинского кризиса, лишний раз подчёркивает узколобость политики Британии, застрявшей в устаревших шаблонах.

Нечего говорить, что на курс России эти разномастные «санкции», равно как и прочие попытки говорить с нами языком ультиматумов и угроз, повлиять не могут. Что касается «давления на российскую военную машину», о которой невпопад рассуждает мининдел страны Дэвид Лэмми, остаётся пожелать британскому официозу периодически вспоминать о собственном «автопарке», счищать с него ржавчину и подкачивать сдувающиеся шины.

☝️ В свою очередь, заверяем, что Вооружённые силы России всегда будут готовы отстаивать законные интересы нашей страны от происков Лондона и его злобноватых единомышленников.

🤦 In announcing on 20 May yet another round of illegitimate restrictive measures, the UK authorities clearly sought to outperform their newfound "strategic partners" in the European Union and their hastily cobbled-together 17th sanctions package.

The new UK "blacklist" is anything but original – a patchwork of individuals, entities and vessels pulled haphazardly from a variety of countries and sectors. In a rush to "outsanction" Europe, His Majesty’s Government went so far as to curtail the rights of one of its own subjects – as usual, without a court ruling.

The zeal shown by Keir Starmer's cabinet in ploughing the overcropped sanctions field is unlikely to be appreciated either by the increasingly disillusioned British electorate, or by continental neighbours, who after Brexit tend to regard the UK as a supplicant and treat it accordingly. Even less so will it likely impress senior allies across the Atlantic.

Moreover, London's aggressive gesturing at a time when dialogue between Russia and the United States, including at the highest level, is unfolding with the aim of identifying mutually acceptable approaches to a long-term resolution of the Ukraine crisis, serves only to underscore the narrow-mindedness of UK policy, mired, as it is, in outdated ideological clichés.

Needless to say, this motley collection of "sanctions" as well as other attempts to speak to Russia in the language of ultimatums and threats will have no impact on our course. As for Foreign Secretary David Lammy's unfortunate statement on the need to "restrict" Russia’s "war machine", one could only advise the UK establishment to occasionally inspect its own relevant "gadgetry", scraping off the rust and pumping up the deflated tyres.

☝️ As for the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation, they will remain prepared to uphold the legitimate interests of our country in the face of London’s schemes and those of its malicious associates.

🎙 President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin held a meeting with Government members, via videoconference (May 22, 2025)

💬 Critically important issue for ensuring safety and protecting people’s lives and health is the demining of territories where combat operations occurred, including the elimination of unexploded ordnance, mines, and weapon caches left behind by militants.

I reiterate: this concerns the Kursk Region, the Bryansk Region, and the Belgorod Region, which have also suffered and continue to endure shelling. Moreover, the adversary typically targets objectives devoid of military significance: civilian infrastructure and people’s homes.

#KievRegimeCrimes: The most recent events only confirm what I just said: drone attacks as well as sabotage and reconnaissance actions target civilian transport, including ambulances and agricultural machinery. Most of the casualties are women and children.

❗️ A decision has been made to create a buffer security zone along the Russian border. Our Armed Forces are working on this now.

They are also effectively suppressing enemy firing points. At the same time, I would like to point out once again that, given the situation in the Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions, we need to begin restoring and rebuilding everything that has been destroyed there right away.

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🗓 On 24 May, Russia and many other countries mark the Day of Slavic Writing and Culture — a solemn tribute to the origins of an alphabet that has not only shaped nations, but also given voice to the profound and enduring literary traditions of the Slavic world.

The date coincides with the feast of Saints Cyril and Methodius, two Byzantine brothers who devised the first Slavic alphabet in 863. Their pioneering efforts enabled entire peoples to access sacred texts in their own tongue and played a pivotal role in the Christianisation of Eastern Europe.

Today the Slavic linguistic family stretches across Eurasia, spanning over 400 million speakers. At its core stands Russian. It ranks among the world's ten most spoken languages and holds global significance as one of the six official languages of the United Nations.

But beyond its geopolitical stature, Russian is a literary colossus. It is the language of Pushkin, founder of modern Russian literature; of Tolstoy, whose moral epics reshaped the novel; and of Dostoevsky, whose psychological depth remains timeless. It carries the precision of Chekhov, the stark realism of Sholokhov, the philosophical weight of Platonov and the surreal brilliance of Bulgakov.

This day is a celebration of shared heritage and a reminder that language is more than words: it is memory, identity and the enduring vessel of human thought.