🇧🇾🇮🇷 Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko wished Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi a happy Nowruz or the Persian New Year on Tuesday, stressing the need to fully realize the potential for the development of a long-term bilateral partnership.

💬 "Over the past year our countries have held a number of important bilateral events. Those included visits at the high and supreme levels, the growth of trade, and the recent celebration of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations… It is necessary to implement the existing potential of the roadmap signed last week to develop a long-term partnership between Minsk and Tehran," Lukashenko was quoted as saying by his office.

📍 The Belarusian president also agreed with Raisi that the leaders' earlier meeting in Iran from March 12-13 was a turning point in improving comprehensive bilateral cooperation.

"I cordially thank you for your hospitality and I take the opportunity to renew my invitation to you to visit Minsk at any convenient time," Lukashenko added.

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International geopolitical consultant, speaker, and former international security analyst David Oualaalou joined us to discuss why US policy towards Ukraine doesn’t seem to present a path to peace, as well as the reason why the US opposes China’s peace plan

🎧Listen to more of Oualaalou’s analysis in our podcast Political Misfits

Putin's Speech 'Touched African Hearts' by Reminding Power of Unity, Observers Say

On March 20, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the plenary session noscriptd "Russia-Africa in a Multipolar World." Following the event, Sputnik asked some of the participants to share their impressions of the speech and comment on the conference itself.

President's Putin speech was focused on issues that resonate with Africans' concerns and "touched the African heart," such as food security, debt burden and infrastructure development, said Alex Muigai, a founder of the Future Team Kenya youth movement, in an interview with Sputnik.

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❗️ Russia supports the use of Chinese yuan in settlements with Asian, African and Latin American countries, Vladimir Putin says

🗣 "We support the use of Chinese yuan in settlements between Russia and the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America. I am sure that these forms of settlements will take place in yuan between Russian partners and colleagues from third countries," Russian President Putin said at a meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior Russia officials in the Kremlin

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❗️ Official talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping took place in Moscow.

Here are Putin's main statements so far:

▪️ It is necessary to discuss practical aspects of interaction in various fields

▪️ During high-level talks with Xi a meaningful and frank exchange of views was held

▪️ Energy interaction between the Russian Federation and China expands

▪️ Russian business is able to satisfy the growing needs of China in energy carriers, both under contracts, and more

▪️ Almost all parameters for the project "Power of Siberia - 2" are coordinated

▪️ It is necessary to further encourage the practice of mutual settlements of the Russian Federation and China in national currencies

▪️ Russia is ready to support Chinese business in the replacement of enterprises that have left the Russian Federation

▪️ Russia is counting on the growth of food exports to the Chinese market

▪️ The Russian Federation and China can become world leaders in the field of artificial intelligence and information development, having developed their potential

▪️ Russia and China intend to create a working body for the Northern Sea Route project, there is a potential for cooperation

▪️ The sports ties of Russia and the PRC are now gaining special importance when Western countries use sport as a pressure tool

📌 Xi Jinping also stated that relations between China and Russia demonstrate healthy dynamics of development

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🇷🇺🇨🇳 During the official talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping in Moscow, Putin stated that the Russian Federation and China can become world leaders in the field of artificial intelligence and information development, having developed their potential.

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⚡️ Lavrov on the UK's statement regarding the supply of equipment with depleted uranium to Kiev: London's actions undermine stability.

▪️ Earlier, London said that London would transfer radioactive depleted uranium ammunition to Ukraine for tanks promised to the Kiev regime.

❗️ Russia and China intend to create a working body on the Northern Sea Route project, Putin said during talks with Xi Jinping.

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❗️ Xi Jinping said he is ready to work with Putin to develop a plan to develop relations with Russia to strengthen coordination between the two countries.

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KJ Noh, writer, teacher, and activist, joined us to discuss the first yuan-based loan cooperation between China and Saudi Arabia

🗣️”All of these are the desserts that the US has baked for itself as it was escalating to war against China,” he stated

🎧Listen to more of Noh’s analysis in our podcast The Critical Hour

⚡️ Russia will be forced to react since the collective West begins to use weapons with a nuclear component, said Russian President Vladimir Putin.

▪️ Speaking about the British initiative to supply Kiev with shells with depleted uranium, Putin said that the West decided to fight Russia to the last Ukrainian not in words, but in deeds.

More statements from Russian President Vladimir Putin after talks with Chinese leader Xi Jinping:

▪️ Russia and China have strong ties, we are in constant contact with Xi Jinping

▪️ The signed documents fully reflect the level of relations between Russia and China, which are at the highest point in history

▪️ Trade and economic cooperation is a priority in relations between Russia and China

▪️ The documents signed by Russia and China set the task of multiplying the volume of trade

▪️ Russia and China maintain high dynamics of mutual trade. In 2023, we are able to overcome the mark of $200 billion

▪️ During the talks between Russia and China, the issues of energy cooperation, which is progressing at a good pace, were considered in detail.

▪️ Russia is ready to increase uninterrupted oil supplies to China.

▪️ At the Russian-Chinese talks, the project "Power of Siberia - 2" was discussed in detail.

▪️ Rosatom and China's relevant agency signed a long-term cooperation program.

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❗️ Putin: China's plan for Ukraine can be taken as the basis for resolving the conflict

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▪️There are opportunities for a significant increase in exports from the Russian Federation to China of meat and grain.

▪️ Supplies of agricultural products from Russia to China are growing at a high pace, there is a capacity to increase supplies.

▪️ With the removal of COVID restrictions, cultural, scientific, educational and tourist exchanges between Russia and China are returning to high dynamics.

▪️Putin and Xi noted the growing tension in the world, the practice of unfair sanctions.

▪️ The leaders of Russia and China signed a statement on a plan to develop key areas of Russian-Chinese economic cooperation until 2030.

▪️ Russia is waiting for a delegation of athletes from China to Kazan for the Games of the Future tournament, we invite China to host the second games.

▪️ Russia and China strongly oppose violating the interests of other countries in order to gain advantages.

▪️ Xi paid great attention to China's peace initiatives during the talks.

▪️ The Chinese peace plan can be taken as the basis for a peaceful settlement in Ukraine, when they are ready for it in the West and in Kiev.

▪️ Putin on the British initiative to supply Kiev shells with depleted uranium: the West decided to fight the Russian Federation to the last Ukrainian, not in words, but in deeds.

▪️ Russia will be forced to react, since the collective West begins to use weapons with a nuclear component.

▪️ Russia will work on international platforms to form a large Eurasian partnership in the future.

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❗️ Putin's statement about the British initiative to supply Kiev with shells with depleted uranium.

❗️ Putin says that Russia will be forced to react if the West starts using weapons with nuclear components.

❗️The main statements from the Chinese leader following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin:

▪️ Xi Jinping said he has maintained close ties with Putin for ten years and is in contact on strategic issues;

▪️ Negotiations with Putin were productive;

▪️ At the talks with Putin, a plan for further cooperation in all areas was outlined;

▪️ Sino-Russian ties have gone beyond bilateral relations, are of great importance for the world order;

▪️ Trade turnover between Russia and China has grown by 116% over ten years;

▪️ Russia and China will ensure the continuity of logistics and transportation;

▪️ China and Russia, as members of the UN Security Council, will continue to uphold the norms of international relations based on the UN Charter;

▪️ Russia and China will strengthen cooperation on the SCO, BRICS, G20 platforms;

▪️ Russia and China will contribute to economic recovery in the post-pandemic period, ensure food security;

▪️ Beijing is actively promoting the resumption of negotiations to resolve the Ukrainian crisis;

▪️ Xi Jinping says he expects continued contact with Putin in all forms.

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❗️ Joint statements by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese leader Xi Jinping:

▪️Russia and China note the positive contribution of the CSTO to the potential for developing cooperation between the CSTO and China to ensure peace and stability

▪️ Relations between Russia and China are mature, stable and self-sufficient, have withstood the turbulent international situation and are not subject to external influence

▪️ Russia and China to continue holding consultations on issues related to Africa

▪️ Russia and China welcome the normalization of relations between Saudi Arabia and Iran

▪️ Russia and China support the sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Syria and Libya

▪️ Attempts to replace the universally recognized principles and norms of international law with a so-called "rules-based order" are unacceptable

▪️ Russia and China express concern over the situation on the Korean peninsula, call on all parties to show calm and restraint

▪️ The United States must respond to the concerns of the DPRK with real actions, create conditions for the resumption of dialogue

▪️ Russia and China intend to provide support in protecting each other's interests, primarily sovereignty, territorial integrity, and security

▪️ Russia and China oppose one state imposing its values on other countries, there is no "higher democracy"

▪️ Russia and China urge not to undermine security in Northeast Asia, to abandon the thinking of the times of the Cold War

▪️ Russia reiterates adherence to the "One-China" principle, recognizes that Taiwan is an integral part of China

▪️Russia and China oppose external interference in internal affairs

▪️ Russia considers the considerations set out in the Chinese plan for the settlement in Ukraine as constructive

▪️ Russia and China will increase cooperation to combat "color revolutions", "forces of evil", including the Islamic movement of East Turkestan

▪️ Russia and China will regularly conduct joint patrols at sea and in the air, as well as joint exercises

▪️ Russia and China oppose all unilateral sanctions imposed by bypassing the UN Security Council

▪️ Russia and China insist that NATO must strictly comply with the obligations regarding the regional and defensive nature of the alliance

▪️ Russia and China intend to forge a closer partnership in the energy sector, support companies in the implementation of energy projects

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