Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, Moscow, June 26, 2025

 

Sergey Lavrov’s forthcoming visit to the Kyrgyz Republic

 

On June 29-30, at the invitation of Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic Jeenbek Kulubayev, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will pay an official visit to the Kyrgyz Republic (the city of Cholpon-Ata).

The head of Russian diplomacy will be received by President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr Japarov and will hold talks with his counterpart, Jeenbek Kulubayev.

The objective of the visit is to continue and enhance the intensive interstate dialogue and collaboration between Russia and the Kyrgyz Republic in the spirit of strategic partnership and alliance. Discussions will encompass matters of collaboration in political, trade and economic, military and technical, cultural and humanitarian, and other domains, with the aim of further expanding multifaceted bilateral ties.

An exchange of views will take place on pressing issues on the regional and global agenda, pathways for advancing Eurasian integration, and intensifying coordinated actions on international platforms – including in the context of Kyrgyzstan’s current chairmanship of the CSTO and forthcoming assumption of the SCO presidency in September 2025. Significant attention will be devoted to regional security in Central Asia, particularly to enhancing joint efforts to counter threats posed by international extremist and terrorist forces, as well as attempts to destabilise the region from the outside.

 

Sergey Lavrov’s participation in the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers meeting

 

As part of his official visit to Kyrgyzstan, Sergey Lavrov will attend the regular meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers on June 30 in Cholpon-Ata, chaired by the Kyrgyz Republic.

The foreign ministers of the CSTO member states will exchange views on the state of international and regional affairs, discuss prospects for furthering cooperation within the CSTO framework, and review preparations for the next session of the Collective Security Council in the fourth quarter of 2025.

A series of joint political statements is expected to be adopted following the meeting.

 

Ongoing Iran-Israel escalation

 

Numerous questions and requests for commentary have been received regarding the Iran-Israel escalation. I would like to draw your attention to the fact that today, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov provided detailed responses to relevant questions during a news conference following his meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic Thongsavanh Phomvihane.

To summarise the inquiries addressed to us, I can state that we welcome reports of Iran and Israel’s readiness to observe a ceasefire. There is now hope that the wheel of the most dangerous military escalation – set in motion on June 13 this year by Israel’s aggressive and unlawful actions against Iran, which were joined by the United States on June 22 – will be halted. From the very outset of the hot phase of this conflict, Russia, alongside the overwhelming majority of the international community, has persistently called for precisely this outcome.

The attempt by West Jerusalem and Washington to use brutal force to restrict Tehran’s legitimate right to a peaceful nuclear programme has, quite predictably, provoked serious alarm across the world. This is corroborated by the series of emergency sessions convened by both the UN Security Council and the IAEA Board of Governors over the past fortnight. It is noteworthy that this was not just an act of unprovoked aggression against a sovereign state, but a strong blow to the global nuclear non-proliferation regime based on the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

The fact that Iranian nuclear sites, operating under the IAEA scrutiny, were deliberately targeted by American and Israeli missile strikes constitutes an open affront to the NPT regime. Now, the implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement between Iran and the IAEA faces tangible challenges. The integrity of the Agency’s global verification system – a system that has reportedly been exploited as an intelligence source for planning these attacks – has been seriously undermined. The US and Israel bear direct responsibility for the enormous damage inflicted upon the IAEA’s authority and operational credibility, regardless of their efforts to shift the blame onto Tehran.

We must not allow the bombing of nuclear facilities to become a new norm. And yet, this is what segments of the Western media, both overtly and subtly, appear to be normalising. An impartial assessment of these events is needed to ensure that such acts of aggression are never repeated. The truth is that the strikes launched by Israel and the United States were unlawful from the very start and stand in stark contradiction to the UN Charter and relevant Security Council resolutions, which explicitly define attacks on nuclear installations as unacceptable. Claims that these actions were justified by supposed threats emanating from Iran’s nuclear programme do not hold up to scrutiny – a fact repeatedly confirmed by the IAEA leadership, which has found no evidence of military nuclear activity in Iran. We hope that the Agency will not deviate from its assessments for political considerations or under pressure from certain countries.

It is imperative to preserve and build upon the fragile truce in order to steer the situation back towards a diplomatic path without delay. A durable settlement to the Iranian nuclear issue – as well as to other crises in the Middle East – can only be achieved through negotiations and diplomacy. No credible alternative exists.

Russia will continue supporting this process, as reaffirmed during the meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Moscow on June 23.

The practical proposals put forward by the President of Russia, designed to find a balanced and mutually acceptable solution, remain on the table. These initiatives were brought to the notice of all the parties involved: the United States, Israel, and Iran. That said, Russia is not seeking to impose anything on anyone. We just offer a constructive vision for resolving the crisis – one that guarantees Iran’s legitimate right to develop peaceful nuclear energy, while also addressing Israel’s security concerns. We believe that such a solution is both possible and necessary.

 

Assistance to Russian citizens in leaving the area of the Iranian-Israeli conflict

 

Russian diplomats have been doing an immense amount of work to assist Russian citizens in the zone of conflict, and not only them but many of those who turned to Russian foreign missions for help having other passports and citizenship.

Amid the escalation of tensions in the Middle East, relevant units of the Russian Foreign Ministry and other agencies, embassies, air carriers and travel companies continue their coordinated efforts to provide for the departure of our citizens from dangerous areas.

All in all, the departure of over 1,000 people – families of Russian foreign missions’ employees, delegations, artists, business people, our tourists and fellow country men and women – has been arranged since June 14.

Thus, about 900 people have left Iran. The routes via the border crossings to Azerbaijan (checkpoint Astara), Armenia (Agarak) and Turkmenistan (Bajgiran) have been developed.

Over 130 Russians, including families with seriously ill children, received assistance in leaving Israel via Egypt (checkpoint Menachem Begin/Taba) and via Jordan (Allenby, Yitzhak Rabin, Jordan River Crossing/Sheikh Hussein Bridge border crossings).

Eighty-five people have left Iraq.

Priority is given to assistance in the safe departure of our citizens. This work continues. We are grateful to the authorities of Iran, Israel, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Egypt, Jordan, Iraq and Turkmenistan for their help.

We call on our citizens to continue exercising utmost caution and observe personal security measures. In view of the dynamically changing military and political situation in the region, the situation in the airspace of Iran, Israel and other countries, and the possibility of resuming direct flights to Russia, please monitor the reports and warnings of Russian foreign missions, air companies and tour operators.

Contact information of Russian embassies: in Iran (+98-21-6670- 1161/63, +98-993-814-7226; msembiran@mid.ru; t.me/russianembassytehran); in Azerbaijan (+994-12-597-0870, +994-50-270-2659; embazerbaijan@mid.ru; t.me/embrusaz); in Israel (+972-53-600-3847, +972-54-962-2341; cons.israel@mid.ru; t.me/Russialnlsrael); in Armenia (+374-10-58-98-43, +374-77-49-50-01; consannenia@mid.ru; t.me/rusembassyarm); in Egypt (+20-128-009-50- 99; rusembegypt@mid.ru; t.me/rusembeg); in Jordan (+962-7-75-52-81-25, +962-7-77-42-66-18; rusembjo@mid.ru; t.me/rusembjo) and in Bahrain (+973-3940- 3237; bahrain@mid.ru; t.me/RusEmbBahrain).

Round-the-clock hotline of the Foreign Ministry Crisis Management Centre (department): +7-495-695-4545; e-mail: dskc@mid.ru; t.me/DSKC__MID_Russia; mobile application Assistant Abroad.

 

Israel’s position in the context of international efforts to establish a Middle East zone free of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery vehicles

 

We have taken note of the fact that a number of Western political and state figures have recently begun referencing the need to establish a Middle East zone free of nuclear weapons. Many commentators have asserted that these unlawful bombardments of Iran constitute precisely such efforts to create a nuclear-weapon-free zone in the region. It is necessary to clarify the terminology and revisit the chronology of this issue.

In an interview with NBC on June 22, 2025, US Vice President JD Vance expressed support for nuclear non-proliferation in the Middle East. Once again, it must be emphasised that many have recently presented their own vision and interpretations of this concept. While the idea is correct, we stress the importance of logical coherence and consistency in this matter. Let us recall that the United States, alongside Russia and Britain, is among the co-sponsors of the 1995 resolution on the establishment of a Middle East zone free of nuclear and other types of weapons of mass destruction and their delivery systems (WMDFZ), adopted at the Review and Extension Conference of the Parties to the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).

However, the United States has become overly fixated on advancing the postulate that Iran, in particular, must not possess nuclear weapons, while neglecting the fact that, under international law, Israel is equally prohibited from maintaining such weapons. The recent strikes by Israel and the US against civilian, peaceful nuclear facilities in Iran – conducted under a fabricated pretext – inevitably bring the issue of Israel’s nuclear capabilities back to the forefront and further underscore the urgency of establishing a WMDFZ in the Middle East. For years, complex yet intensive and productive discussions on this matter have been underway, with the states of the Middle East playing the leading role.

The sole country persistently evading these efforts is Israel. On the one hand, it extols the lofty ideals of nuclear non-proliferation, while on the other, it reduces everything to purported threats emanating from Iran, clearly unwilling to bind itself by any non-proliferation commitments: it neither signs the NPT nor subjects its entire nuclear programme to the IAEA safeguards. The United States indulges this conduct. Meanwhile, West Jerusalem deems it acceptable to exploit the obligations of non-nuclear NPT signatories as leverage against them – a tool for political score-settling and even a pretext for launching military operations. This is a misguided and opportunistic policy founded on illegitimate premises.

We remain convinced that efforts to establish a WMDFZ in the Middle East must continue. We observe a commitment to this goal among Arab states and Iran, which – jointly with Egypt – initiated the 1974 UN General Assembly resolution on the Establishment of a Nuclear-Weapon-Free Zone in the Region of the Middle East. West Jerusalem has no objective reason to disregard this responsible process, which aligns with its own national interests. Since 2018, five sessions of the annual WMDFZ Conference have been held (with the exception of the pandemic-affected year of 2020). The next round is scheduled for November of this year in New York. This platform offers the most conducive conditions for all regional states, including Israel, to participate in discussions and contribute to shaping the corresponding security architecture. The longer West Jerusalem sabotages these efforts, the greater the pressure it will face – along with the attendant negative repercussions in the region.

Let me reiterate: since 2018, five sessions of the annual Conference on the establishment of a zone free of weapons of mass destruction have taken place. When addressing this issue, one must be cognisant of its historical context. It has already assumed an international legal dimension. This is not mere deliberation or debate – it is the work of states within the framework of international law.

 

Ukraine crisis update 

 

Kiev’s neo-Nazi regime keeps launching terrorist attacks against civilians and civilian facilities in Russia.

Over the past week, 114 civilians have fallen victim to Nazi’s strikes – 13 lives were lost, including 2 minors, with 101 people wounded. Let me highlight some facts so that the numbers are not discarded as some sort of pallid statistics.

Belgorod Region. Three women were wounded when a Ukrainian drone struck on a pharmacy branch in Graivoron on June 17. A man mowing hay in Shebekino was killed in a cluster submunition blast on June 18. Two civilians were injured, including a 16-year-old teenager, due to a Ukrainian drone strike on the section of the Urazovo-Borki motor road on June 22. An AFU drone assaulted an ambulance vehicle in the village of Rzhevka. They targeted not just any civilian object but specifically an ambulance vehicle, hitting at doctors. As a result, the ambulance crew – a doctor, a nurse and a driver – were wounded.

Bryansk Region. Two firefighters were injured in a Ukrainian UAV attack in Maznevo on June 21. The strike was targeted not just on a civilian facility but on an agency that is supposed to help people in emergencies. 

Kursk Region. Two local residents were killed in an MLRS strike on the village of Zvannoye on June 17. On the same day, a woman, born 1962, was killed by a Ukrainian drone attack on a passenger car in the village of Korenevo.

Zaporozhye Region. On June 18 and 19, Ukrainian drones assaulted civilian passenger cars in Vasilyevka and Pervomaiskoye, wounding two people. On June 20, the AFU drones targeted private houses in Grozovoye and Konstantinovka, with two victims again. On June 22, a man, born in 1965, was injured as a result of a drone attack hitting a block of flats in Vasilyevka.

Kherson Region. Four civilians were injured by a Ukrainian drone raid on the villages of Kairy and Vinogradovo on June 18.  On June 22, Novaya Zburyevka village was shelled by artillery, with two locals wounded in the strike. One person was killed in Kozachyi Lagerya due to artillery shelling. Two men were injured by the shelling of Kalinovka.

Donetsk People’s Republic. On June 20, the head of the Donbass Water production facility in Mironovsky was killed by a kamikaze drone targeting a service vehicle on Svetlodarsk – Mironovsky motor road. Two more of the personnel were severely wounded. On June 21, the AFU used large-caliber artillery to shell a residential quarter in Gorlovka. A woman born in 1996 was wounded. 

Lugansk People’s Republic. On June 16, two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, were killed by a drone assault on a residential community in Kremennaya. My heart shrinks now that I am saying this. On June 18, a man, born in 1951, was killed in a drone attack on a block of flats in the town of Rubezhnoye. On June 20, the AFU used a drone to hit an ambulance vehicle in the centre of Lisichinask, severely wounding a paramedic, while a nurse and the driver got shrapnel wounds. On the following day, a 5-year-old girl was admitted to hospital with a mine-blast trauma in the same city.

All those AFU members will be punished for all that. Russian courts keep passing judgements to Ukrainian neo-Nazis and mercenaries for their war crimes and other offenses. 

According to the Investigative Committee of Russia, more than 7,300 criminal cases have been initiated since 2014 regarding crimes committed by the Kiev regime, including those involving representatives of Ukraine’s leadership, security agencies, and members of radical nationalist groups. To date, investigations have been concluded against 637 individuals, with 577 defendants convicted.

The Russian Investigative Committee has identified commanders of the Ukrainian Armed Forces responsible for the unlawful displacement of civilians from the Kursk Region. These individuals include Major General Eduard Moskalyov, military commandant, and Colonel Alexey Dmitrashkovsky, press officer of the commandant’s office. They are suspected of committing crimes under articles pertaining to terrorism and hostage-taking. Investigative findings indicate that, under their orders, Ukrainian security forces seized civilians as hostages in Sudzha before forcibly relocating them from Russia and unlawfully detaining them in the Sumy Region until May of this year.

UAF militants have been convicted for crimes committed in the Kursk Region: Yevgeny Kraivanov (14 years’ imprisonment), Natalia Balaklitskaya and Andrey Shevchenko (15 years each), Sergey Borisov, Alexander Dudnik, Vasily Katanyuk, Alexander Titenko (16 years each), and Alexander Petukhov (17 years). The majority of their sentences will be served in a strict-regime correctional colony.

Belgian national Martin Jacques and Georgian national David Khositashvili have been sentenced in absentia to 14 years’ imprisonment each.

In light of the Nazi-terrorist Kiev regime’s actions, we’ve taken note of reports by Iranian media regarding the arrest on June 22 by Iran’s Security Service and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps of three agents of Ukrainian military intelligence. They attempted to infiltrate a Shahed drone assembly facility in Isfahan to plant explosive devices. The group was neutralised before causing damage. According to available information, Iran’s Supreme Court has sentenced the detainees to death by hanging, with the verdict expected to be carried out within two weeks. This further underscores the terrorist nature of the Kiev regime, whose criminal activities extend beyond Russian territory and include readiness to conduct attacks in other regions of the world.

We are acutely aware of their atrocities, past and present, on the African continent. Yet their campaign targets not only people but also culture. The suppression of the Russian language and Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine has escalated to new heights. Fascist elements seek out victims on social media, in public spaces, and at sporting events, inciting persecution. Some even attempt to gain notoriety through such provocations.

Recently, a young football player and self-styled blogger publicly criticised prominent Ukrainian footballer Yevgeny Seleznyov for speaking Russian during a match. One might wish all such “bloggers” would direct their grievances at Vladimir Zelensky, who speaks Russian everywhere – at home and at work, if terrorist acts can be termed “work.” The blogger filmed the incident and posted it online, presumably to attract an audience and boost followers. Ironically, neither the management of his football club nor his subscribers endorsed the provocation. The blogger was dismissed, and commentaries revealed significant dissent among his followers. Yevgeny Seleznyov continued playing. Notably, the blogger later admitted to using Russian in daily life, reserving Ukrainian for public appearances.

Another Ukrainian athlete, gymnast Vlada Nikolchenko, faced vilification from so-called “language activists” for refusing to abandon her native Russian. Online, she was branded with shame, subjected to death threats (a favoured tactic), and called for expelling her from the country.

These activists have now targeted the legendary Soviet and Kiev Dynamo football coach Valery Lobanovsky, who passed away more than 20 years ago. Who could possibly be disturbed by this in today’s Ukraine? He was accused of “deliberately and systematically fostering a Russian-speaking environment,” “demonstrating contempt for the Ukrainian language,” and “obstructing Ukrainisation” in the 1990s. As alleged proof of his guilt, a quote from the Sovetsky Sport newspaper is cited, in which the coach criticises those who raise the language issue in Kiev, stating that the Ukrainian language was never suppressed. For this alone, he is now posthumously vilified. Neo-Nazis, in their fury, are demanding the demolition of Lobanovsky’s monument. What more can be said, except that they expose themselves by such actions?

These grotesque displays of intolerance, unthinkable in any sane society, have been enabled by state-sponsored, primitive Russophobia and virulent nationalism. Ukrainian citizens are being indoctrinated to believe that their primary enemies are Russia and the Russian people. In a country where diverse nationalities once coexisted peacefully before the neo-Nazis seized power, society is now being artificially saturated with Russophobic ideology and hatred towards undesirable citizens.

In Ukraine, all sporting and other achievements in the nation’s honour are nullified if one speaks the “wrong” language. It has reached the point where brainwashed individuals demand that Russian speakers be barred from bomb shelters – because, apparently, the sound of Russian “makes them cringe.” Would they recoil from holy water if it were sprinkled on them, too?

These facts underscore and reaffirm the necessity of the special military operation to denazify and demilitarise Ukraine, eliminating threats emanating from its territory. As the Russian leadership has repeatedly stated, all objectives will be decisively achieved.

 

UN Secretary-General’s Annual Report on Children and Armed Conflict  

 

The point is that on June 17, the Annual Report of the Secretary-General on Children and Armed Conflict was distributed at the UN Security Council. As per the UN Secretariat, 2024 was marked by a significant growth of gross violations against children.

That seems like proper caring. But let us take a closer look at the report. 

The condition of children in the context of the Ukraine crisis is a separate part in the document. UN representatives somehow managed to “record” a sharp increase in the number of killed and maimed children. The Russian Federation has been designated for third year as a party responsible for such violations in Ukraine. In most cases, full responsibility for denying humanitarian access, assaults on schools and hospitals, killings, injuries and even recruitment of children is absolutely unfairly placed on the Russian Armed Forces and “aligned armed groups.”

You might ask, “How about evidence?” There is none. 

Against the backdrop of an outright anti-Russia bias of the Ukraine section of the report, the absence of the AFU in the list brings out particular indignation. Moreover, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres contrives to praise the Kiev regime for its cooperation with the UN. Meanwhile, the UN Secretary-General feels merely concerned about the impact on the situation with children from the Kursk invasion and assaults by the Ukrainian militants in the Russian border areas.

We resolutely condemn the biased political decision by the UN Secretariat to include the Russian Armed Forces in the list of those responsible for violations against children in Ukraine. We view it as none other than a policy of double standards pursued by the UN leadership since the 2014 anti-constitutional coup in Kiev. Regrettably, the world organisation has become used to consistently hushing heinous violations of the basic norms of the international humanitarian law and its other provisions by the Kiev regime.

We have to state that the UN Secretariat has once again neglected a thorough examination of the data for the documents they present to the UN member-states. It is particularly essential in view of the large-scale anti-Russia information campaign waged by the Western countries. For our part, we regularly submit to the office of the UN Special Representative for Children and Armed Conflict current information about the situation with children in Ukraine, the Donetsk and Lugansk people’s republics, the Kherson and Zaporozhye regions and other areas of Russia which suffer from the Kiev regime’s actions. Such instances are being recorded and checked on a regular basis and must definitely be reflected in the UN Secretariat’s reports. 

The Russian Federation is invariably committed to protecting children in armed conflicts. We will continue to take steps to minimise victims among civilians during the special military operation.

As a UN Security Council permanent member, we will keep actively participating in drafting and adopting effective decisions by the Council for Children and Armed Conflict, including by its Working Group. 

 

Council of Europe signs an agreement with Ukraine to establish a Special Tribunal

 

There have been reports that on June 25, the Council of Europe signed an agreement with the Kiev regime’s ruling clique to establish what it called a Special Tribunal for the Crime of Aggression against Ukraine. On this occasion, Vladimir Zelensky went as far as travel to Strasbourg and address the plenary session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe.

As you know, the Council of Europe was among the first to speak out in favour of creating these quasi-legal mechanisms to target Russia. PACE with its radical posturing stood at the root of these initiatives. It has long morphed into a driver of Western Russia-hating attitudes and double standards. And the Committee of Ministers supported its destructive ideas about setting up the so-called Special Tribunal, which basically amounts to a mock trial. On June 24, 2025, the Committee of Ministers authorised the Council of Europe Secretary General to execute this cynical deal with the neo-Nazi junta’s head.

For the Western politicians who took this decision, this act amounts to writing yet another shameful page in the Council of Europe’s history book, which already has quite a few pages of this kind, by the way. This regional structure aspires to play a special role in defending democracy, human rights and the rule of law, but all its efforts have been in vain. They have no idea what the notion of human rights means and have failed to voice any concerns regarding the status of the Russian language or Russian speakers, or the years-long efforts by the Kiev regime to persecute those who want to know and speak their mother tongue.

I am referring to those who want to remember their past and where they come from, who want future generations to benefit from their achievements, their creativity and their culture. And there was not a single report or statement in the Council of Europe on any of these topics, never.

Russia has presented its principled position on this matter many times: the Council of Europe lacks the mandate for creating any criminal tribunals, establishing that an act of aggression was perpetrated, and does not have the authority to do that. Nevertheless, Strasbourg does not see fit to “go into the details.” Why not? They can pretend anything, since paper cannot blush, as the saying goes.

The bureaucrats in the Council of Europe are ready to sacrifice anything for the sake of launching this pseudo-legal Special Tribunal, primarily the legal norms and standards by de facto throwing international law under the bus. At the same time, they are trying to effectively contain Russia by escalating the Ukraine crisis.

By the way, from a purely formal perspective, this Special Tribunal was designed as a Ukrainian tribunal with an international element. What does this mean? I think that academia must ponder this matter. This suggest that it lacks and will never have any legitimacy internationally, while its mandate to indict Russian nationals would not go beyond the authority Ukrainian courts have in this regard. Despite all their attempts, those who conceived this would-be tribunal failed to agree on anything bigger even with European countries. In fact, the signing of the agreement will not pave the way for establishing the tribunal, since there are still several stages the European bureaucrats will have to go through before this happens.

Either way, Russia will treat the operation of and verdicts by this structure as null and void. For us, any country joining this tribunal will be viewed as taking a hostile step against Russia and seeking to make the ongoing Ukraine crisis worse instead of settling it. There will be restrictive measures as per the Russian law regarding this partisan judicial tool, while actions of its most zealous promoters will be examined from a criminal law perspective.

We hope that all reasonable countries distance themselves from the reckless undertakings by the Council of Europe in its current shape.

 

NATO summit

 

There are many questions about the NATO summit. I would like to note once again that Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has issued a detailed comment on that subject today.

In reply to all the questions we have received, I can tell you that the results of the NATO summit held in The Hague on June 24-25 have reaffirmed what has long been known. Despite a show of unity regarding the need to repel “numerous” threats to the Alliance, the summit was held in accordance with Washington’s plans, regardless of the other members’ opinion. The US administration forced the allies to agree to increase their defence spending from 2 percent to 5 percent of GDP, which can always be presented as their own desire. Although they tried to hide their feelings, that decision was so painful for many US allies that differences over the new defence ceiling have become public knowledge. Spain  was the first to state that it could not overheat the state budget this way, and several other leaders said off the record that their countries would be unable to meet the new target too. Nevertheless, all the member states have signed the new commitment.

How is this possible, you may ask? But we have seen this happen before. The favourite explanation for this radical build-up of NATO’s defence spending and rearmament programme is “the long-term threat posed by Russia.” To keep up panic sentiments, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte has stated again that Russia might attack the allied states “three, five, seven years from now.” I wonder if they can’t determine the timeframe more precisely or just want to indicate that the defence spending target will be further increased and everyone must be ready to pay more. But he couldn’t answer questions about what made him think that Russia would attack. He cited the news that Russia was “reconstituting” its armed forces.

NATO has been heavily relying on the demonised image of Russia in the past decades. The “Russian threat” they have invented seems to be the only explanation why the public is being fleeced again. However, we know that they are doing this primarily to please the United States and to convince it that Europe is ready to pay its share. It is a US business project aimed at encouraging Europe and the West in  general to place long-term orders with US defence companies.

At the same time, NATO plans to increase its defence spending and production within 10 years, by 2035. How does this target relate to the potential Russian threat “three, five, seven years from now”? The fever pitch was so high at the summit as if Russian forces were expected to break into the conference room any minute.

They have been spreading more rumours, alleging that Russia would invade the Suwalki Gap or send a landing force to the Bornholm Island any day. In short, they discussed many subjects and tried to frighten each other. But the truth is that the United States wants to secure contracts for its defence industry. They need money, but where to get it? This is simple: from those whose economy they have ruined recently and who they are forcing to increase their defence spending so that they can pay the US defence industry. However, they can’t say this in plain English because they will lose votes in their countries.

In 2024 alone, the aggregate defence budget of the NATO countries amounted to about $1.5 trillion or more than the defence spending of all the other countries taken together. But they are afraid, nevertheless. I have a question: If Western Europe spend on defence more than all other countries taken together, why can’t they use these funds efficiently?  Or do they have ineffective weapons? The latter can be true, though. We know what is happening to the much-touted German weapons. We have demonstrated these arms, in particular, damaged German tanks, in the central squares of our cities. The NATO countries plan to increase their aggregate defence budget next year. How does this relate to their statements about the defensive nature of the alliance? Who are they defending themselves from if they spend more on defence than all the other countries in the world?

The NATO allies have not coordinated their stance on many other issues, including Ukraine, at their summit. Nevertheless, they don’t intend to stop supporting the Kiev regime. They have announced their intention to allocate over 35 billion euros to Ukraine’s regime this year. They will continue to support it, because the collective West wants the conflict which they have created in the region to continue. They have openly stated that their aim is “to keep Ukraine in the fight today, so that it can enjoy a lasting peace in the future.”

If they interpret peace in Ukraine as “cemetery silence,” they can achieve it, but in this case, they should say so plainly, because everything NATO is doing is killing Ukraine and completing its destruction.

As for NATO’s other promises to Ukraine, its secretary general assured that the fact that Ukraine’s NATO membership was not mentioned in the final declaration did not mean anything. Ukraine’s path to NATO membership remains irreversible, he said. This is remarkable.

Overall, the Hague summit has fortified the bloc’s return to its roots and the initial meaning of its establishment, that is, confrontation with Russia just like during the Cold War. As they have stated in the declaration, they are resolved to protect “our one billion citizens” from Russia, the very same “golden billion” whose superiority the collective West has been vigorously trying to maintain.

 

Norwegian leaders accuse Russia of creating nuclear and radiation security risks in Ukraine

 

I would like to comment on a statement made by Norway’s leaders. This is something fantastic! I’d call it the-other-way-round fest. The thing is that high-ranking Norwegian officials constantly accuse our country of this or that, but what they have done now is just incredible.  They always claim that Russia is creating threats, risks, and so on. Now Oslo is charging us with attacks on nuclear power facilities, along with “schemes” in the military, hybrid, digital, misinformation and other fields.  

I would like to ask the Norwegian leaders: Has someone cut their cable so that they are now unable to switch on their TV sets? Or is it that internet news is not within reach? Or maybe radio broadcasts are jammed in Norway? Are they unaware of who is attacking nuclear facilities? The attackers are the United States and Israel. It is they that delivered strikes at nuclear facilities in Iran. What Russia has to do with that? Why invent tall tales? It is an absolute shame to tell stories about Russia striking at nuclear power facilities in recent days.

One of these talkers is Norwegian Foreign Minister Espen Barth Eide, who said in the same breath that Oslo had a good mind to assist safe power supplies and prevent nuclear accidents. Where? In Iran? No, he said, in Ukraine. This is something you can’t believe because it is an absurdity.

In theory, you can understand Oslo’s concern with preventing a nuclear accident in Ukraine. But what does it have to do with the situation on the ground? It is the Russian Federation that primarily has a vested interest in nuclear security. Unlike the Kiev regime, Russia pursues a responsible policy in the atomic energy area and actively cooperates with the IAEU in the matter of ensuring security at nuclear facilities, including in Ukraine. At the same time, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) regularly create threats to security of nuclear infrastructure facilities, specifically the Zaporozhye and Kursk nuclear power plants. The Norwegian authorities are turning a blind eye to these facts. What further speculations are needed, if they failed to see the US and Israeli attacks on Iran’s peaceful nuclear infrastructure?

This only reaffirms our conviction that the Norwegian officials’ conclusions about sources of nuclear risks are guided by things other than interests of nuclear and radiation security.  What guides these in reality is Russophobia that commands them to peremptorily lay blame for all existing risks on the Russian Federation and close their eyes to the true sources of these risks. It must also be noted that Oslo is inconsistent in its policy. The Norwegian leaders failed to denounce the US and Israeli strikes at Iranian nuclear facilities, including the Bushehr nuclear plant. They did not see them. They turned away at that moment. They shut their eyes and plugged their ears. 

Norway is to blame for the petering off of its nuclear and other cooperation with Russia. Oslo prefers playing up to the Kiev regime’s provocative line rather than maintain constructive ties with Russia, aimed at supporting peace and stability.   

For our part, we will continue to ensure national nuclear and radiation security in a reliable way and do whatever we can to strengthen the international regime geared to safe use of nuclear power. What we would like to advise the Norwegian leaders is to switch on their televisions.

 

Russian threat assessed in the Canadian Security Intelligence Service 2024 Public Report

 

We have reviewed the latest annual report from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS). To give them credit, it is consistent with previous editions – just as Russophobic as ever.

There is nothing new in Canadian intelligence’s distorted and far-fetched perception of Russia. It seems all they did was update the publication date, repeating the same tired assessments about Russia from last year. The usual cut-and-dried clichés – allegations of “hostile actions” such as espionage, sabotage, and interference in Canada’s internal affairs (who, might I ask, would even want to meddle in Canada’s affairs?) – remain as unfounded and unconvincing as ever.

In response to claims about the imaginary threat to Canada’s Arctic region, it should be emphasised that Ottawa, like other member states, has refused to cooperate with our country within the Arctic Council. It is widely known that Russia operates in the Arctic in strict compliance with international law and remains open to constructive collaboration to ensure the region’s sustainable development.

Ottawa’s accusations of Russian “disinformation” are especially cynical. Wasn’t it Canada that removed the Russia Today television network from its authorised list of programming services and stations – effectively suppressing freedom of speech and persecuting dissent? Canada has imposed countless sanctions against Russian media, journalists, and public figures, while its neoliberal media obsessively peddle lies about the developments in Ukraine and fabricate absurd tales about our domestic politics for their biased news.

Rather than inciting hatred, fuelling Russophobic hysteria, and justifying their confrontational policies, Canadian authorities should take a cue from better examples, which are closer than they might think. There are nations bold enough to consider forging an equal, mutually respectful dialogue in the interest of actual security, both national and global, rather than acting to suit select influence groups.

 

Retaliatory measures against the harassment of Russian journalists in Germany

 

Canada isn’t alone in its persecution of media professionals. The German authorities’ treatment of Russian journalists and media outlets has reached new heights of cynicism, amounting to a blatant violation of their international obligations.

German officials continue their relentless campaign against Russian journalists accredited in that country, employing administrative pressure, outright harassment, and propaganda designed to demean them. These tactics aren’t limited to targeting Russian media organisations or individual journalists – they extend even to family members.

No method is off the table in their efforts to force Russian correspondents to cut their professional assignments short and leave the country.

The incident involving Sergei Feoktistov, head of the Rossiya Segodnya bureau in Berlin, along with his wife and seven-year-old daughter, stands as an egregious example of this persecution. We have repeatedly commented on this case during Foreign Ministry briefings. However, Berlin obstinately ignores our demands to cease targeting media representatives and to honour its international obligations to uphold press freedom and opinion pluralism. Similar pressure is now being applied to Channel One and VGTRK.

In response, as previously indicated, we have prepared retaliatory measures. The German ambassador to Moscow will shortly be summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry to be formally notified of these actions.

 

UN Charter’s 80th anniversary

 

This day, June 26, marks an important event – the UN Charter was signed 80 years ago.

Establishing the United Nations marked a major landmark for the international community in its progress. It resulted from the centuries-old effort by the humankind to devise an inclusive and effective mechanism for consolidating peace, human rights and promoting socioeconomic development. The fact that this organisation came to be followed the logic of history and resulted from a whole range of objective conceptual, historical, political as well as other factors. But it was what happened during World War II that served as a trigger which enabled all these factors to come to fruition.

It would not be an exaggeration to say that our country made a major contribution to establishing the United Nations. In fact, it was by and large the Soviet proposals which defined the way the United Nations would operate and the provisions of its Charter. Andrey Gromyko signed the UN’s founding document on behalf of the USSR in San Francisco. The Soviet Union rightfully claimed a permanent seat within the UN’s Security Council.

The UN has always played a special role in our country’s foreign policy. We have consistently relied on the tools it offers for strengthening national sovereignty, making our economy more competitive, finding answers to the challenges we face in the present-day world, and asserting the Global Majority’s interests. It is largely thanks to our country that the UN has adopted decisions which laid the foundation for the emergence of a multipolar world order. Take the decolonisation process – it started with the adoption of the Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and Peoples at the initiative of the USSR in 1960.

The UN has built a track record of success in terms of settling various international conflicts, reinforcing the arms control framework, promoting disarmament and non-proliferation, fighting poverty, hunger, and dealing with many other matters. We must praise the UN for its peacekeeping operations in various hotspots around the world and its efforts to ensure stability, defend civilians and promote political processes.

Throughout its history, the UN has had to face criticism many times, and these reproaches have been increasingly vocal in recent years. Some claim that the UN is unable to resolve any of the challenges the world is facing today. Moreover, the West has been increasingly seeking to intentionally diminish the UN’s role, relegate it to the background or impose its agenda on it.  The  infamous concept of a rules-based order and the persistent efforts to impose it as an alternative to international law offers a telling example of this trend.

All these developments notwithstanding, we still believe that the United Nations must play a central coordinating role in international affairs. It is our firm belief that the organisation’s Charter sets forth the key principles governing interstate relations, must remain the cornerstone of the present-day world order and guide member states through the rapid emergence of a multipolar world order. It is essential that we all understand that the provisions contained in this founding document are complementary and form a single whole. They must be honoured in a comprehensive manner without trying to single out specific principles at the expense of others.

In this connection, it is instrumental that all countries reaffirm their commitment to the Charter’s purposes and principles considering their complementary and interconnected nature in an unambiguous manner and without any reservations. This would serve as an important step for fully restoring the UN’s authority and making it effective. The Group of Friends in Defence of the Charter of the United Nations has been at the forefront of these efforts as a key tool for making the voice of the Global Majority heard, countering the Western narrative and building a multipolar world order with greater justice for all.

 

The first anniversary of signing the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Russia and the DPRK

 

In accordance with agreements, reached at the Russian-Korean summit. that took place on June 19, 2024 in Pyongyang, President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and Chairman of State Affairs of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea Kim Jong-un signed the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between our countries.

This fundamental document reflects an entirely new level of traditionally friendly and neighbourly relations between Russia and the DPRK that have evolved in conditions of a drastically altered international situation.

Historical experience shows that Russian-Korean ties, based on mutual respect, trust and common strategic interests, have passed a serious test of time. In this context, the implementation of provisions of the Treaty’s Article 4 acquires special significance. Under this article, units of the Korean People’s Army took part in joint efforts to liberate temporarily occupied districts of the Kursk Region from armed formations of the Kiev regime and foreign mercenaries.

I would like to emphasise the high appraisal of the courage and selflessness of Korean service personnel by the President of Russia Vladimir Putin. The Russian side is moving to perpetuate the memory of fallen Korean heroes.

The treaty is already being effectively filled with real content. Since the signing of the document, a series of high-level meetings has taken place, and there are plans to hold multiple new events, including joint celebration of the 80th anniversary of liberating Korea from Japanese colonial domination on August 15, and the 80th anniversary of establishing the Workers Party of Korea on October 10.

Cooperation in the cultural, humanitarian, scientific, technological and youth spheres is developing dynamically; interregional and party exchanges are becoming more active. More profound collaboration is highlighted by the construction of a motorway bridge across the Tumannaya River, as well as the resumption of direct railway services between Moscow, Khabarovsk and Pyongyang.

Yesterday, on June 25, the Pyongyang – Moscow passenger train arrived at Yaroslavsky Railway Station for the first time in the past five years. The train left Pyongyang on June 17, and spent eight days en route to Moscow, traveling via Khasan, Ussuriysk, Khabarovsk, Chita and other cities. Passenger traffic between Russia and the DPRK was suspended in February 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Russian Federation consistently fulfils its obligations and is confident that the implementation of the Treaty will help strengthen strategic partnership between our countries and will also make a weighty contribution to maintaining stability and security in Northeast Asia.

 

25th anniversary of the Joint Declaration on the Foundations of Friendly Relations between Russia and Myanmar

 

July 3 marks 25 years since the signing of the Joint Declaration on the Foundations of Friendly Relations between the Russian Federation and the Republic of the Union of Myanmar.

This pivotal document laid a solid foundation for the progressive development of bilateral ties across a wide range of areas. Russian-Myanmar relations are distinguished by their traditionally friendly nature, grounded in mutual respect and support.

Political dialogue is developing dynamically. This year, Chairman of the State Administration Council and Prime Minister of Myanmar Min Aung Hlaing visited Russia twice – on an official visit in March and to participate in ceremonial events marking the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Regular delegation exchanges have been established, and contacts between government agencies, business circles, and academia are expanding. Joint projects are being implemented in various areas of mutual interest. Thanks to the proximity or alignment of approaches to key issues on the global and regional agenda, our countries effectively coordinate efforts on international platforms.

In March this year, Russia provided assistance to the friendly people of Myanmar in mitigating the consequences of a devastating earthquake. On the instructions of President of Russia Vladimir Putin, five Il-76 aircraft from Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations were dispatched to the country. The combined task force included rescuers from the Centrospas aeromobile unit and the Leader Special Risk Operations Centre, as well as canine teams, anaesthesiologists, and psychologists. The Federal Centre for Disaster Medicine of Russia’s Ministry of Healthcare deployed a field hospital and provided qualified medical care to the injured. A team from the Emergency Paediatric Surgery and Traumatology Clinic headed by Dr Leonid Roshal also arrived in Myanmar.

We are confident that the mutual commitment to advancing multifaceted cooperation will help identify new opportunities to strengthen traditional friendship and expand practical collaboration in military and technical, trade, economic, and cultural spheres – for the benefit of both nations and in the interests of stability, security, and sustainable development in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond.

 

65th anniversary of the proclamation of independence of the Federal Republic of Somalia

 

On July 1, the Federal Republic of Somalia will celebrate the 65th anniversary of its independence.

In the 19th century, Somali territory was divided between Britain and Italy. In 1960, after a hard-fought struggle for freedom and the right to determine their own destiny, the two colonies formed a single independent state. On September 11, 1960, the USSR was among the first to establish diplomatic relations with Somalia. The Soviet Union provided assistance in the formation of Somali statehood. Large quantities of machinery and equipment were supplied to Somalia, hundreds of Soviet specialists participated in the construction of local infrastructure facilities, and over 20,000 Somalis received education in the USSR – among them former Presidents Abdiqasim Salad Hassan and Abdullahi Yusuf Ahmed.

Today, Somalia is resolutely advancing along the path of stabilising the internal political situation, which deteriorated sharply in the 1990s and led to civil war in the country. Mogadishu is increasingly integrating into the global community: in 2024, Somalia became a member of the IAEA and was elected as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2025-2026.

Russia and Somalia successfully maintain political dialogue and are expanding trade and economic interaction. A significant boost to our inter-parliamentary cooperation was provided by the official visit to Russia on June 1-5 this year by Speaker of the Senate of the Federal Parliament of Somalia Abdi Hashi Abdullahi, during which he held meetings with Speaker of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of Russia Valentina Matviyenko, Speaker of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin, and Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia Mikhail Bogdanov.

We sincerely congratulate our Somali friends on their national holiday and wish them prosperity and well-being.

 

The 20th anniversary of Russia’s accession to the OIC

 

June 30 marks the 20th anniversary of Russia’s accession as an observer to the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). 

Over the years, the OIC, which brings together 57 countries from Asia, Africa, Europe, and South America, has become a significant factor in positively oriented international politics. The desire of Russia, which is home to a multi-million Muslim population, to join the OIC was first expressed by President Vladimir Putin during his official visit to Malaysia in 2003. The subsequent decision in 2005 for our country to join the OIC was a logical extension of the long-standing friendly relations between Russia and Muslim countries elevating our cooperation in various fields to a whole new level. 

Today, we regard the nations of Islamic civilisation as our reliable partners in building a multipolar world order, ensuring international security and stability, and addressing global and regional economic challenges. 

We highly value that, considering the international situation compounded by Western attempts to impose its slipping dominance, the Islamic world refuses to relinquish its independence and remains committed to the principles of sovereign equality among countries and relations based on international law and the recognition of civilisational and cultural diversity. 

OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha’s participation, at the invitation of President Putin, in the celebrations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War was a compelling demonstration of the Muslim countries’ desire to engage with Moscow in this spirit. 

The Islamic world and Russia share common approaches and joint efforts in resolving crises, particularly the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Together, we counter terrorism and extremism, promote interreligious and intercultural dialogue, uphold traditional spiritual and moral values, and combat discrimination and persecution on religious grounds, including Islamophobia and Christianophobia. We attach great importance to establishing cooperation with the OIC member countries in creating universal legal frameworks for international information security, including combatting information crimes and the imposition of false mass culture values.

Russia - OIC political dialogue has become firmly established on this foundation, and cooperation through parliamentary channels is maintained as well. Interaction in education, scientific research, and culture with the involvement of specialised OIC institutions among other avenues, as well as interaction in the spiritual sphere, is on the rise. Joint projects to study the cultural heritage of Russia’s Muslim peoples will go live soon. Contacts are underway between Russian and OIC human rights organisations. Activities under the OIC Youth Forum are being successfully implemented. Students from Russia are studying at theological institutions in Muslim countries, while thousands of citizens from Islamic countries are studying at Russian universities.

Russia regularly participates in the annual ministerial sessions of the OIC’s Standing Committee for Economic and Commercial Cooperation in Istanbul, as well as in the OIC-sponsored meetings of ministers of economy, finance, and information technology. 

We are committed to further developing cooperation with Muslim countries through the Russia -Islamic World Group of Strategic Vision, which includes prominent representatives from Russia and the Islamic world. 

The International Economic Forum Russia - Islamic World: KazanForum is held annually in the capital of Tatarstan and is an effective interaction mechanism covering a wide range of issues, including the economy, trade, finance, investment, and digitalisation, to name a few. The 16th session of the forum was held recently with great success. The Kazan Forum has also become a unique platform for global interreligious dialogue and direct engagement between the Russian Orthodox Church and the Islamic world. 

Cooperation is underway in areas such as ensuring safety and reliability of infrastructure construction in seismic zones and the use of artificial intelligence in video production based on an agreement between the Sputnik news agency and the Union of OIC News Agencies. 

Importantly, the strengthening of Russia - OIC ties enjoys broad public support, including the support of business circles, religious associations, youth organisations, and figures of science and culture. Russian regions, where Muslims have historically lived in harmony, peace, and mutual respect with followers of other religions, are making significant contributions to these efforts. Notably, Kazan has been designated the Cultural Capital of the Islamic World for 2026. 

To mark the anniversary, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and OIC Secretary-General Hissein Brahim Taha will exchange of congratulatory messages. Commemorative events will be held as well.

We will keep you informed through the Foreign Ministry’s social media accounts and otherwise.

 

Russian Embassy to re-open in Togo and Russian Embassy to open in The Gambia

 

Efforts to expand Russia’s diplomatic presence in Africa continue. 

On June 17, the Russian Government issued a directive to resume the operations of the Russian Embassy in the Togolese Republic. 

On June 18, the Russian Government released a directive to establish the Russian Embassy in the Republic of The Gambia. 

Russia maintains traditionally friendly relations with Togo and The Gambia. The opening of diplomatic missions in Lomé and Banjul will ensure stable practical engagement with the local authorities across various fields and facilitate consistent efforts to advance Russia’s interests in these republics. 

Organisational steps are being implemented to launch the operation of these foreign missions.

 

International Olympic Day and Russia’s participation in the Olympic movement

 

Every year, we mark International Olympic Day on June 23. This used to be an uncontested occasion for celebrating unity, commitment to perfection, and fair play, as well as promoting the Olympic values. The roots of this holiday can be traced back to 1894 when Pierre de Coubertin, a Frenchman and the founder of the modern-day Olympic movement, announced the establishment of the International Olympic Committee on June 23 of that year.

For over 100 years now, our country has been playing a prominent role in the Olympic movement as one of the world’s leading sports powers. Outstanding Russian athletes have achieved all-round acclaim and glory not only at home, but far beyond our borders. Since the Imperial era, Russian Olympic champions and medallists won over 1,800 Olympic medals and have always served as role models for the younger generations.

At the same time, we cannot fail to mention the present-day challenges the Russian sport is facing. They result from the effort by international sports structures to impose illegal, unfair and groundless sanctions, restrictions and all kinds of discriminatory measures against Russian athletes. We believe that this is an outright attempt to impose a political agenda on the sports world, which will seriously damage the international Olympic movement. What they are trying to impose on the Olympic movement runs counter to its very essence – they are pushing for segregation on ethnic, racial and religious grounds.

This year is special since it marks Kirsty Coventry’s inauguration as the new IOC President. She became the first woman and the first African to assume this office, as well as the youngest head of the Olympic movement since Baron de Coubertin. Russia hopes that the plans Kirsty Coventry had presented earlier to enable and empower all athletes without exception to take part in international competitions will pave the way for actual steps in this direction.

Russia believes that the true mission of sports and the Olympic movement consists of uniting nations and their people, as well as reducing international tension. The Olympic Games must be open to all athletes without exception, regardless of their passport, racial or ethnic background, gender or political views. Guided by these principles, we reaffirm our commitment to promoting cooperation in sports on equal terms with all the interested countries.

 

Viktor Bout’s artwork exhibited in Beijing

 

On July 3, a unique art exhibition will open in a ceremony in the very heart of Beijing – at the Beijing World Art Museum international exhibition centre. The display, My Coastline, A Pencil’s Trace, is a monumental project showcasing a stunning collection of artwork as part of the Cross Years of Culture between Russia and China (2024–2025).

Who is this artist? It’s Viktor Bout. We have lived to see this day. For years, we have been demanding his release from this rostrum, defending his rights. It took an immense effort of advocacy and relentless action to secure the release of someone thrown behind bars in America – unjustly (to put it mildly), illegally, and in defiance of all human logic and morality – a person also dehumanised and mocked by the system. And all along, he continued to paint – and his artwork is beautiful.

A Russian businessman and public figure, deputy of the Ulyanovsk Region Legislative Assembly, Viktor Bout is now also a member of the Creative Union of Artists of Russia. What’s remarkable is that he refuses to revel in his pain or cling to grievances over the injustice he suffered, over what he lost and what was stolen from him. Instead, he miraculously channels his strength into advancing a positive international agenda. Today he is helping to promote the Russian-Chinese cultural dialogue.

It’s unbelievable. His biography is a symbol of an indomitable spirit. Let me remind you that Viktor Bout spent more than 15 years in US prisons on charges fabricated by the US special services. His artwork mirrors his life’s journey – nearly 300 works created in solitary confinement, his cell transformed into a workshop, a library, and a fortress of the spirit.

The exhibition features more than 50 selected works in various techniques, from graphite pencil sketches to oil painting. His works have come to embody the courage and unbroken spirit of the Russian people, because even under the harshest conditions of imprisonment, Viktor Bout (now an artist) never lost faith in himself or his future. Each piece – painted in solitary confinement, I repeat – is a testament to love in its purest form: love for homeland, for his people, for family, for the world and nature itself. Every brushstroke radiates confidence in justice; every work is powerful and inspiring. Along with the paintings, the exhibition includes posters and the artist’s personal belongings, things he used while in the US prison – the books he read, the letters of support he received from Russia and other countries.

Viktor Bout’s Russian Seasons project in China is more than a cultural event; it’s an emotional bridge between the two great powers. Through his extraordinary life story, it reveals the depth of the Russian spirit to the Chinese public. His journey shows how art can be the ultimate lifeline for the human spirit.

We invite representatives of Russian and foreign media to attend this international event.

 

To be continued...