Russian Mission Geneva

🎙️ Excerpts from Russian President Vladimir Putin’s statement at the press briefing following his talks with Chinese President Xi Jinping: 📍 May 16, 2024, Beijing 🇷🇺🇨🇳 The current official visit takes place during the 75th anniversary year of the establishment of diplomatic relations between our states. Our country was the first to recognize the People's Republic of China on October 2, 1949, the very next day after its proclamation. We provided extensive assistance in the early stages of development of its political system, state institutions and economy. Over the decades, our cooperation has only grown and advanced. 🤝 Our negotiations once again demonstrated that the approaches of Russia and China to many international and regional problems are either similar or coincide, and they also showed the great importance that both Moscow and Beijing place on the development and strengthening of the comprehensive Russian-Chinese partnership and strategic interaction. This partnership, undoubtedly, serves as a model for how relations between neighboring states should be built. 🌐 Both countries pursue independent and autonomous foreign policies. We work together in solidarity to create a more just and democratic multipolar world order, which should rely on the central role of the United Nations and its Security Council, international law, cultural and civilizational diversity, and a well-balanced consideration of the interests of all members of the global community. ❗️ Our countries advocate for the improvement of global economic governance, the reform and depoliticization of multilateral institutions such as the World Trade Organ-ization, the G20 and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum, bringing them in line with modern realities. 📖 FULL STATEMENT

💬 Russian MFA Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova:

❗️ We strongly condemn this attack and wish a speedy recovery to the Prime Minister of Slovakia, Robert Fico. 🇷🇺🇸🇰 We know him as a friend of Russia, who, in this dramatic and historic time, a turning point in the history of humanity, is not afraid to express his point of view, which often differs from the mainstream narrative of the "collective West”.

👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 May 15 is the Internatinoal Day of Families 🇷🇺 Protecting and strengthening traditional family values and supporting the family as the fundamental unit of society are priorities for the Russian Federation both at the national and international levels. 🇺🇳 Exactly 30 years ago, the international community first celebrated International Day of Families, established by UN General Assembly resolution 47/237. Russia will continue to draw attention to the importance of protecting the institution of the traditional family. ❗️ Article 16.3 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights states that "the family is the natural and fundamental group unit of society and is entitled to protection by society and the State". Similar provisions are contained in international human rights treaties. Russia faithfully fulfils its obligations to protect the family. 👦👧 States parties to the Convention on the Rights of the Child have approved this international human rights treaty, convinced that “the family, as the fundamental group of society and the natural environment for the growth and well-being of all its members and particularly children, should be afforded the necessary protection and assistance so that it can fully assume its responsibilities within the community”. We call on the Committee on the Rights of the Child and other international human rights mechanisms to pay special attention to this provision of the Convention in their work.

❗ Excerpts from Ambassador Gennady Gatilov’s statement at the Conference on Disarmament: 📍 May 14, 2024, Geneva ❗️ I would like to emphasize that Russia has never threatened any NATO country. On the contrary, it is NATO that is moving its military capabilities towards our country and creating direct threats to our security. 🇺🇸 It is absolutely clear to us who is really responsible for the degradation of European security and the aggravation of conflicts around the world, as well as who is halting new effective instruments in the sphere of arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation. The current state of affairs in the field of regional and global security is nothing but the product of a well-planned, uncompromisingly implemented foreign policy course of the “collective West”, which has set itself against the rest of the world. ❌ It is obvious that the Western delegations can repeat the same unsubstantiated accusations against Russia and other “undesirable” States as much as they like, but they are unable to rewrite history and thus cannot blindfold the international community to the Western deeds that are detrimental to international security. 🕊 We are convinced that despite the current international turbulence the Western states will sooner or later – we, of course, would like it happen sooner - cease their rampant anti-Russian campaign and realize that there is no alternative to establishing an equitable and mutually respectful dialogue. We should start by reducing tensions and restoring at least a minimum level of trust among the permanent members of the UN Security Council. 🇷🇺 Russia, for its part, is open to any constructive diplomatic efforts, but only if and when the countries of the “collective West” and NATO are ready to do so. Above all, the latter should demonstrate their negotiability not by word but by deed and stop their vicious attacks on the sovereignty and economic viability of our country. 📖 FULL STATEMENT

❗ Из выступления Постпреда России в Женеве Г.М.Гатилова на Конференции по разоружению:   📍 14 мая 2024 г., Женева   ❗️ Хочу подчеркнуть, что Россия никогда не угрожала никакой стране НАТО. Напротив, это Североатлантический блок двигает в сторону нашей страны боевые потенциалы и создаёт прямые угрозы для нашей безопасности. 🇺🇸 Для нас абсолютно понятно, кто на самом деле несёт ответственность за деградацию европейской безопасности и обострение конфликтов по всему миру, а также кто препятствует согласованию новых инструментов в области КВРН. Нынешнее состояние дел в области региональной и глобальной безопасности есть не что иное как продукт хорошо спланированного, продуманного, бескомпромиссно претворенного в жизнь внешнеполитического курса «коллективного Запада», противопоставившего себя остальному миру. ❌ Очевидно, что западные делегации могут сколь угодно повторять набившие оскомину голословные обвинения в адрес России и других «неугодных» для них государств, но они не в состоянии переписать тем самым историю и закрыть глаза мировой общественности на собственные пагубные для международной безопасности деяния. 🕊️ Убеждены, что несмотря на нынешнюю международную турбулентность, государства Запада рано или поздно – хотелось бы, чтобы раньше – прекратят свою разнузданную антироссийскую кампанию и осознают безальтернативность налаживания равноправного и взаимоуважительного диалога. Начать следует со снижения напряженности и восстановления хотя бы минимального уровня доверия между постоянными членами Совбеза ООН. 🇷🇺 Россия, со своей стороны, открыта к конструктивным дипломатическим усилиям, но только если и когда к этому проявят готовность страны «коллективного Запада» и НАТО, которые, прежде всего, должны не словом, а делом продемонстрировать свою договороспособность и прекратить оголтелую атаку на суверенитет и экономическую жизнеспособность нашего государства. 📖 ЧИТАТЬ ПОЛНОСТЬЮ

🎙️ Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answer to a question during his remarks at the Committee on Foreign Affairs of the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation (Moscow, May 13, 2024) ❓ Question: Is the conference on Ukrainian issue convened by the West in Switzerland this June a potential threat to Russia’s foreign policy interests? What are our plans of opposing and counteracting the destructive plots of the Kiev regime and its foreign supervisors? 💬 Sergey Lavrov: The “conference” has long been discussed by all those, who is trying to defeat Russia on the battlefield, without rejecting diplomatic methods, as they say. However, their diplomatic methods (the conference in Switzerland is not an exception but just a continuation of the process in Copenhagen format) boil down to formulating an ultimatum to Russia. <…> The other day [Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs Head] Ignazio Cassis said again that it was senseless to discuss anything without Russia. Why to convene it then? <...> There were a lot of initiatives: offered by the China, South Africa, Brazil and the League of the Arab States (who came to us soon after the beginning of the special military operation). The Chinese one was most comprehensive, aimed at first considering the root causes and working on their removal. The other had an emphasis on humanitarian aspects (exchange of POWs, bodies, access for humanitarian organisations). Yet High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell said that they were getting ready for a conference in Geneva on the Zelensky formula and all other initiative vanished. He decided for everyone else again. <...> ❗️ Our readiness for talks is reaffirmed at the top level personally by President of Russia Vladimir Putin each time he deals with the Ukraine issue. <...> Our cause is just. If they want it on the battlefield then it will be so. Look how they are lamenting over a steady and extensive advance of our Armed Forces. Read in full

❗ On May 11, a traditional Victory Day celebration dedicated to the 79th anniversary of the Soviet people's Victory in the Great Patriotic War took place at the Russian Permanent Mission in Geneva. 🤝 We were pleased to welcome fellow diplomats from the permanent missions of Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, staff members of the international organizations in Geneva, as well as Swiss friends and compatriots living in the Confederation, many of whom joined the "Immortal Regiment" held at the Mission. 🎶 This year's dance and music program was exceptionally memorable thanks to the efforts and talents of students and teachers from our school, opera singer of the Grand Theatre of Geneva Dmitry Tikhonov, as well as the recently established "Russian Mission" musical trio. 🐺 Our special thanks also go out to the bikers of the Swiss "Night Wolves", many of whom traveled hundreds of kilometers to join the Victory Day celebration. The road riders regularly participate in charitable events of compatriots in Switzerland, as their formidable and impactful presence effectively deters all provocateurs. 🥇 Once again, congratulations on the 79th anniversary of the Great Victory, friends! #VictoryDay #Victory79

❗ 11 мая в Постпредстве России в Женеве прошла традиционная «маёвка», посвящённая празднованию 79-летней годовщины Победы советского народа в Великой Отечественной войне. 🤝 На мероприятии мы были рады видеть наших добрых товарищей из постпредств Азербайджана, Армении, Белоруссии, Казахстана и Киргизии, сотрудников международных организаций системы ООН, а также друзей-швейцарцев и проживающих в этой стране соотечественников, многие из которых присоединились к прошедшей на территории дипмиссии акции «Бессмертный полк». 🎶 Творческая программа «маёвки» в этом году получилась особенно насыщенной благодаря стараниям и талантам учеников и преподавателей нашей школы, артиста Большого театра Женевы Д.Тихонова, а также недавно сформированного в Постпредстве музыкального трио – ВИА «Russian Mission». 🐺 Особую признательность хотели бы также выразить байкерам швейцарского отделения «Ночных волков», многие из которых преодолели сотни километров, чтобы разделить с нами праздник Победы. Мотоциклисты регулярно участвуют в благотворительных акциях и мероприятиях соотечественников в Швейцарии, одним своим внушительным и эффектным присутствием отпугивая провокаторов. 🥇 Ещё раз поздравляем с 79-летней годовщиной Великой Победы, друзья! ✔️ СТАТЬЯ ТАСС

⚡️ Comment by Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova on the statements by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Volker Türk 💬 We have took note of the press release of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) published on May 7 with the assessments of its head Volker Türk regarding the situation of journalists in Russia. The High Commissioner’s activity has long lacked objectivity and impartiality required by UN General Assembly Resolution 48/141, however this time the degree of his statements’ political bias is really outrageous and inappropriately arrogant. In defiance of his mandate Volker Türk allowed himself utterly politicized, biased and lopsided interpretations of the situation in the media pluralism and free access to information in our country, and did not shy away from gross distortions, misrepresentations and unsubstantiated accusations. In his ill-concealed desire to follow in the wake of the Collective West’s anti-Russian rhetoric that international official broke out with a libel that has nothing to do with the real situation. And at that the High Commissioner has never showed such zeal in dealing with mass evidence of oppressions against Russian and Russian-language media in the West, reprisals against undesirable reporters in the Baltic countries and Moldova, cruel crimes and terrorist acts by Kiev regime against Russian journalists, public figures and publicists. We have yet to see a substantive response to any of our numerous appeals to Volker Türk regarding these gross violations, which just fuel our suspicions about the bias of his conduct and complete loss of basic ideas of good faith in implementing his mandate as the above UN General Assembly resolution requires. ❗️ We reject point blank the High Commissioner’s statements both in form and in substance. We insist on his strict compliance with all the requirements for an international official of such level, primarily in terms of impartiality and objectivity. We are calling on him to appropriately respond to all crimes and violations with respect to media and journalists regularly reported to him, including by the Russian side.

🥇 On May 9, 2024, at the "Hörnli" cemetery in Basel, a traditional wreath-laying ceremony was held at the mass grave of 23 Soviet soldiers - the only such memorial of the Great Patriotic War era in Switzerland. The site serves as the final resting place for 4 servicemen who died during an attempted escape from Nazi captivity. Only two of their names are known — Grigory Titov and Ivan Sumachev. The granite monument also bears the names of 21 other Soviet soldiers who died of battle wounds in various cities of the Confederation. 💐 Representatives from the Russian Embassy in Bern, the Russian Permanent Mission to the UN Office and the Russian Consulate General in Geneva attended the ceremony, along with officials from embassies of Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan in Switzerland. 🇷🇺 After the official part of the event was over, hundreds of Russian compatriots living in Switzerland and nearby regions of Germany and France gathered at the monument. Among them were many empathetic, native citizens of these states who wished to honor the Soviet people's immortal feat and their decisive contribution to the Victory over Nazi Germany. 🙏 We are immensely grateful to all who preserve the memory of the heroes who gave their lives for our common Victory! #VictoryDay #Victory79