Embassy of Russia in New Zealand

⚡️ Comment by Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov following Vladimir Putin’s telephone conversation with US President Donald Trump (June 14, 2026) 💬 Yury Ushakov: President of Russia Vladimir Putin telephoned the US President today to extend birthday greetings on his 80th birthday. The conversation was friendly and candid, lasting just under an hour – 55 minutes to be precise. As you might expect, it was not merely an exchange of pleasantries. President Trump heard more than kind words and good wishes: the leaders also discussed key issues relating to the current international situation, the development of Russia-US relations, and possible future contacts between representatives of both sides. As for the greetings, they were informal and reflected the nature of the personal relationship between the two leaders. The Russian President made no secret of his respect for Donald Trump’s fighting spirit, his ability to withstand blows, successfully overcome obstacles, and persistently pursue his goals. Incidentally, the Russian President also sent a birthday message in which he highlighted the exceptional character traits of the man he was honouring – traits that contribute to his success both as a person and as a politician. Donald Trump was touched by the remarks and thanked Vladimir Putin, noting that he was the first foreign leader to call him at the White House. <...> Vladimir Putin naturally extended his best wishes to First Lady Melania Trump, praising her role in reuniting Russian and Ukrainian children with their families. Donald Trump, in turn, conveyed his wife’s greetings and gratitude for the assistance she had received from Russia. To conclude the ceremonial congratulatory part of my remarks, I will note that Vladimir Putin thanked Donald Trump for his warm congratulatory message on Russia Day, which expressed respect for the Russian people. Naturally, the conversation also touched on the situation surrounding the memorandum of understanding being drafted between the United States and Iran. Donald Trump said an agreement was close and expressed hope that the results of the difficult but ultimately successful negotiations could be announced today. He acknowledged that the road to agreement had been arduous, with many obstacles encountered – and not only from the Iranian leadership. Ultimately, however, the efforts of American negotiators, with the assistance of Pakistani and Qatari mediators, produced an acceptable outcome. Trump expressed gratitude for Russia’s involvement and, in particular, for its proposals aimed at finding constructive solutions. From our side satisfaction was expressed that the conflict, which had the potential to set the entire region and beyond, judging by all indications, being contained. Readiness was also stated to continue working toward stabilizing the situation and addressing the underlying issues that will still require serious attention. As for the Ukrainian conflict, Donald Trump once again emphasized the need to bring military operations to an end. He stated that he is prepared to exert influence on both European partners and Kiev. <...> The recent strikes against civilian facilities on Russian territory, of course, hinder efforts toward a settlement, and this was noted. Trump also said that ending the war would open up prospects for building a genuinely new quality of U.S.–Russian relations. Vladimir Putin stressed that no attempts by the Kiev regime to strike civilian infrastructure in Russia would alter Ukraine’s critical situation on the battlefield. <...> As for Zelenskyy personally, it would be worth conveying to him that he should not forget the tragedy of the Holocaust, rather than honoring Nazi war criminals with ceremonial reburials. It is noteworthy that Trump spoke about the alliance between our two countries during the Second World War. He said this is something that simply must not be forgotten.<...> It was agreed that the U.S. President’s special representatives, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, will arrive in Russia in the near future. Read in full

🎙 By tradition, on Russia Day, President Vladimir Putin presented the gold medals of the Hero of Labour of the Russian Federation and the 2025 Russian Federation National Awards in science and technology, literature and the arts, for outstanding achievements in human rights and charity work, in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St George’s Hall (June 12, 2026) 💬 Vladimir Putin: Friends, colleagues, congratulations on Russia Day! We are celebrating this holiday with warmth and affection for our Motherland, with pride for grand achievements in industry and military service by many generations of our ancestors, with respect for key events in Russian history and, of course, with understanding that all stages in our state’s evolution over 1,000 years form a single journey. A deep, personal feeling for Russia is part of our mentality. For Russian people, solidarity and patriotism have always been the greatest values that helped us overcome any difficulties, defeat enemies, build our country, and preserve our historical and cultural legacy. A sincere sense of responsibility for our Fatherland is a feeling known to every one of us. And forparticipants in the special military operation, this is a solid spiritual support, much like the support our heroes receive from the entire Russian nation and our entire society. We all share the same goals. Courage and perseverance in achieving these goals are qualities possessed by everyone receiving high honours today. *** The heights you have reached are within the grasp of extraordinary, strong, and generous people, those for whom their work and profession become the very meaning of life. I sincerely thank every one of you. My heartfelt congratulations on these high state awards. <…> Friends, To close our ceremony, I would like to add a few words, building on what has just been said here. One of the awardees remarked that she had spent her whole life doing what she loved and never imagined she would be recognised for it. And that, I think, is precisely the point. Today is Russia Day. As we honour outstanding citizens of our country, we are, of course, thinking about young people – about future generations. The task of society and the state is to help them find their calling, so that each of them can discover something they truly enjoy and achieve remarkable success. Just like our award recipients today. Another recipient said: “We had a dream.” So, may we all have a dream – one we can turn into reality and work towards. It was also said that Saint Luke endured severe trials because he was with God. Today, on Russia Day, the Almighty, the Lord, is always with our country. 🇷🇺 Happy Russia Day! Read in full

🇷🇺 Happy #RussiaDay, Dear All! 💬 Love you, O Russia mine, Like a song's own word, The forests, rivers, endless fields. Love all that heart's embrace By one vast and timeless name: #Русь. #Russia1Love #RussiaDay2026

🇷🇺 Happy #RussiaDay! Russia is home to 195 peoples. A nation, a continent-spanning civilization. Russia simply IS #Russia1Love #RussiaDay2026

⚡️ Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova's statement regarding the attack by Ukrainian militants on the Defence of Sevastopol Museum (June 10, 2026) 💬 On the night of June 10, the Zelensky regime committed yet another crime by attacking the Defence of Sevastopol 1854-1855 Panorama Museum with UAVs. A fire broke out on its roof. According to preliminary estimates, the canvas “The Assault on June 6, 1855”, painted by a group of Soviet artists in 1954, sustained critical damage. The original fragments of the panorama by Franz Roubaud, which were saved during the Great Patriotic War, were once again miraculously spared, just as they were in 1942, as they were being prepared for the “Roubaud. 170” exhibition at the museum’s branch. I would like to recall that Franz Roubaud (1856-1928) was an outstanding battle painter, academician, and head of the battle painting studio at the St Petersburg Academy of Arts. He was born in Odessa to a French family, but considered Russia his homeland throughout his life. ☝️ According to the Sevastopol authorities, the strike was deliberate. This is an undisguised act of vandalism and barbarity aimed at destroying historical memory. Against the backdrop of failures on the battlefield, the Zelensky Nazi regime does not hesitate to wage war not only against civilians, but also against monuments of history, culture, and art. Such actions place Kiev’s temporary rulers on a par with their fascist idols and terrorists who destroy the world’s cultural shrines. As I noted earlier, during the Great Patriotic War the Nazis had already attempted to destroy this enduring symbol of Russia’s military valor. On June 25, 1942, during a massive bombardment and artillery strike by German aircraft, the panorama building caught fire. Back in 1942, cadets from the coastal defence school, sailors, and museum workers rushed to save the canvas. Under bombardment and at the risk of their lives, they cut 86 fragments of the canvas from its burning frame and carried them to safety. The fragments were evacuated by boat and under fire – first to Novorossiysk, then to Novosibirsk, and finally to Moscow, to the Tretyakov Gallery. ❗️ The neo-Nazis of the Kiev regime have continued the work of their predecessors. I am confident they will receive the severe punishment they deserve. We resolutely condemn the Zelensky regime’s monstrous attack and once again call on international organisations, including UNESCO and other specialised UN agencies, to stop pretending that nothing has happened, to provide a legal assessment of this crime, and to demand that all those involved in the destruction of cultural and historical heritage be held accountable. 👉 Silence in the face of such barbarity will be regarded by us as approval of it and as encouragement for Kiev to continue such actions. Read in full

🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions during a joint press conference with CSTO Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov following the meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers (Kazan, June 10, 2026) 💬 Sergey Lavrov: We have just concluded the meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers in Kazan, the hospitable capital of the Republic of Tatarstan. The event was businesslike and productive. We are satisfied with its results. We noted the dynamic development of our allied ties within the CSTO across the broadest range of areas. We discussed the implementation of the tasks set by the Leaders of our countries at the CSTO Collective Security Council Summit in Bishkek in 2025. We thoroughly reviewed preparations for the next Session of the CSTO Collective Security Council, scheduled to take place in Moscow on November 11, 2026. We emphasised that, as 2026 Chair of the Organisation, Russia will continue to promote the consistent deepening of integration processes in all areas, improve the CSTO’s activities, and enhance its international standing. In line with the priorities of Russia’s chairmanship set by President Vladimir Putin, we will continue to expand cooperation among the foreign ministries of the CSTO member states and maintain proper coordination with our partners at major multilateral platforms, including the UN, which we also discussed in detail today. *** ✍️ We approved a number of statements which Russia, as Chair, will soon circulate at international platforms, including the UN. • First and foremost, this is a Joint Statement on the upcoming 85th anniversary of the beginning of the Great Patriotic War. We noted that the memory of this tragic date unites the peoples of all CSTO member states. • The second document approved today on behalf of the Ministers is a Statement on strengthening the role of international law and commitment to the principles of the UN Charter. • The third document is devoted to countering threats related to the use of information and communications technologies for sabotage and terrorist purposes. • The fourth document concerns the task of preventing an arms race in outer space. This issue is becoming increasingly relevant. A number of documents approved today are draft documents to be submitted for consideration and approval by the Collective Security Council. Among them is the draft CSTO Member States’ Counter-Terrorism Strategy until 2030, developed at Russia’s initiative. The document is intended to define the conceptual foundations of our work in one of the key areas of the Organisation’s statutory activities. 🤝 The next meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers is scheduled for November 10, 2026, in Moscow, on the eve of the summit. I also invited my colleagues to take part in the International Forum on Collective Security, to be held on November 10-11 under Russia’s chairmanship of the CSTO. The forum will feature open, pragmatic discussions involving representatives of governments, business, civil society organisations, and academia. 👉 We hope these discussions will help expand the CSTO’s network of partnerships and promote the Organisation’s ideas, goals, and values among the broader international public. Read in full

🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's statement at the expanded-format meeting of the CSTO Council of Foreign Ministers (Kazan, June 10, 2026) 💬 Sergey Lavrov: It is in Eurasia, on our continent, that processes are unfolding which have a direct impact on the formation of a more just #MultipolarWorld. Above all, this concerns the emergence and strengthening of new global centres located here, as well as their integration associations. It is obvious that a polycentric architecture must be based on the principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnectedness, take into account the cultural and civilisational diversity of the modern world, and respect the right of nations to determine their own paths and models of development. These are precisely the values underpinning our allied relations within the #CSTO. ❌ We do not accept disregard for fundamental norms of international law, or the desire to solve one’s problems at the expense of others – especially through the use of force. All this leads not to peace, but to the chaos of international life, the aggravation of old conflicts, and the emergence of new ones. This destructive course, pursued by our Western colleagues out of historical inertia, found expression in the active effort to drag Ukraine into NATO and use the neo-Nazi Kiev regime they brought to power as an anti-Russian military battering ram. ❗️ The security system in Europe has been finally destroyed by the hands of our Western “colleagues”. All key arms control treaties have been eliminated. That is why it is important for us to prevent what was once called the “common Eurasian home” from turning into an arena of geopolitical confrontation. It is important to pre-emptively neutralise the risks of hotbeds of tension escalating into large-scale conflicts, and to prevent crises similar to the Ukrainian one from emerging. These were precisely the tasks addressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin’s initiative, put forward in the summer of 2024, to form a new continent-wide architecture of equal and indivisible security in Eurasia. Ideas proposed by a number of other political figures are also moving in this direction. Today, during the restricted-format meeting, we discussed in detail the Belarusian-Russian initiative proposed by Minsk – namely, the development of a Eurasian Charter of Diversity and Multipolarity in the 21st Century. We are interested in ensuring that the process of forming such a security architecture remains open and allows for a combination of bilateral and multilateral guarantees, with a view to the gradual but steady reduction of the destructive military influence and presence of extra-regional powers. 🤝 Stepping up dialogue among the existing Eurasian structures dealing with security issues would largely serve this purpose. The CSTO is among them. Read in full

🎙 On 9 of June, The Post newspaper published an interview with the Ambassador of Russia, Stanislav Krans. This is the first interview with local mass media following his appointment to the position in New Zealand. 👉 Main point: Russia and New Zealand should provide their peoples with a chance to realize natural rights to communicate, to collaborate, and to be friends. Read in full (the Post subscription is required) #Ambassador #interview

Ambassador Stanislav Krans had the honour to meet with South African High Commissioner Mr Johnny Sexwale on June 9. We are grateful for the courtesy extended to us and look forward to the intensification of relations between our missions. 🇷🇺 🤝 🇿🇦

📜 #OTD, 3️⃣5️⃣4️⃣ years ago, Peter the Great (1672-1725) was born – the first Emperor of All Russia – an outstanding reformer and statesman who shaped the course of our country for centuries to come. Peter was the first son of Tsar Alexey Romanov and his second wife Natalia Naryshkina. From an early age, the young Tsarevich was distinguished by a keen mind, curiosity and a thirst for practical knowledge: he eagerly mastered crafts, studied military affairs and learned foreign languages. From an early age, Peter showed a particular fascination with military affairs above all else. For the Tsarevich’s games, a “toy army” was formed from among his peers. Over time, these childhood pursuits grew into a true school of military training: it was from these “toy regiments” that Peter’s famous reformed army emerged, while the troops themselves became elite Guards units – the Preobrazhensky and Semyonovsky regiments. In 1682, after the death of Tsar Fyodor Romanov, ten-year-old Peter was proclaimed Tsar together with his elder brother Ivan V. However, he came to independent rule only in 1689 – after Tsarevna Sophia, who had served as regent for the young rulers for seven years, was removed from power. *** In spring 1697, Peter’s famous Grand Embassy set off for Western Europe, where it remained until summer 1698. Its task was to strengthen ties with European powers, seek allies for the future struggle against the Ottoman Empire and Sweden, study military, engineering and shipbuilding practices, invite foreign specialists into Russian service, and purchase the necessary weapons, equipment and goods. The European experience left an indelible impression on the young Tsar. Upon returning to Russia, Peter launched a sweeping set of reforms aimed at strengthening the state, the army and the entire system of government. Among the key reforms were: • Military reform – the creation of a regular army and navy of a new type. • Government reform – the establishment of the Senate, collegia and a new system of central government bodies. • Church reform – the creation of the Holy Synod, which strengthened state control over church administration. • Estate reform – the introduction of the Table of Ranks, which opened the way for advancement in state service not only by birth, but also by personal merit. • Education reform – the opening of new schools, the development of technical and military education, and the invitation of foreign specialists. • Calendar reform – from 1700, the New Year in Russia began to be celebrated on January 1. *** One of the defining trials of Peter’s era was the Northern War of 1700-1721. In its confrontation with Sweden, Russia secured access to the Baltic Sea, created a powerful fleet and established itself as one of Europe’s leading powers. The outcome of the Great Northern War shifted the balance of power in Europe: Sweden permanently lost its former influence, while Russia gained reliable access to global trade routes. In 1721, after the conclusion of the Treaty of Nystad, Peter was proclaimed Emperor of All Russia, Father of the Fatherland and the Great. *** To this day, leading historians in Russia and abroad continue to discuss Peter's legacy, the change he has brought to Russia. ☝️ One thing remains beyond dispute: the scale of his personality and his impact on the course of Russia's history cannot be denied. It was under Peter the Great that our country made a historic leap forward, entering the ranks of the great powers. 👉 Moreover, without Peter the Great, there would have been no “northern capital of Russia” and one of the most beautiful cities in the world – St Petersburg – founded in 1703 and still bearing the sovereign’s name.

🔥 На стенде Минспорта на ПМЭФ дали официальный старт пригласительной кампании форума «Россия — спортивная держава».

«В этом году это важное событие состоится в гостеприимном Красноярске. В городе, который получил это право в результате сложного отбора. Это город, где проходили значимые спортивные события, включая Зимнюю универсиаду»,

— заявил вице-премьер России Дмитрий Чернышенко. Первыми зарегистрированными участниками форума стали Дмитрий Чернышенко, министр спорта РФ Михаил Дегтярев и губернатор Красноярского края Михаил Котюков.

«Подготовка к форуму ведется ежедневно в течение всего года. Уверен, что компетенции организаций, входящих в оргкомитет, и Фонда Росконгресс будут нацелены на успех “России — спортивной державы”, как форума, так и нашего движения в целом»,

— подчеркнул директор Фонда Росконгресс Александр Стуглев. Подробнее 🌺roscongress

#HistoryOfDiplomacy 🗓 This year, June 9 marks the 3️⃣4️⃣0️⃣th Anniversary since birth of outstanding Russian statesman, brilliant diplomat, prominent advisor to Emperor Peter the Great — Andrey Osterman. His immense personal contribution, as of talented negotiator and remarkable politician, to promoting the national interests of the Russian Empire one can hardly overestimate. Osterman went down in history as one of the architects of the international system and regional order in the Baltics, which cemented Russia’s power in Europe and secured our country’s status as a great power after its historic victory over Sweden in the Great Northern War (1700–1721). ☝️ It was #Osterman who, in August 1721, signed the Treaty of Nystad on behalf of our country, securing Russia’s access to the Baltic Sea and the return of our historical territories in the north — Ingria, the Izhora lands, part of Karelia, and other strategically significant land — to Russia's control. Under Osterman, in addition to the Treaty of Nystad, a number of other important international documents were concluded strengthening our country’s authority in Europe and the status quo on the continent. Those key documents included — the Treaty of Vienna of 1716 (an agreement between Russia and the Holy Roman Empire on maintaining peace in Europe, which historians regard as one of the longest‑lasting alliances in history of the XVIII century) and the Treaty of Belgrade of 1739 with the Ottoman Empire, which concluded the military campaign in the Balkans and the Black Sea region. Having successfully promoted the agreement with Iran of 1723 (under which the southern and western shores of the Caspian Sea, including the fortresses of Derbent and Baku, were ceded to Russia) Osterman was appointed Vice‑President of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs. From 1725 to 1741, he served as Vice‑Chancellor, being in charge of the most important assignments for the Crown. The diplomat’s rich foreign policy legacy was passed on to his son, Ivan Osterman, a prominent statesman, Chancellor of the Russian Empire, and the Head of the Collegium of Foreign Affairs, who continued his father’s great efforts under Russian Empress Catherine II.

Презентация форума «Россия — спортивная держава» прошла на стенде Министерства спорта на ПМЭФ-2026. Старт регистрации дали: заместитель председателя правительства РФ Дмитрий Чернышенко, министр спорта Михаил Дегтярев, губернатор Красноярского края Михаил Котюков и председатель правления, директор Фонда Росконгресс Александр Стуглев. С этого момента регистрация на Форум официально открыта, до встречи в Красноярске!

🇷🇺🇺🇳 On June 8, Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with candidate for the post of UN Secretary-General Michelle Bachelet. The candidate presented her campaign platform, while Minister Lavrov outlined Russia’s requirements for candidates seeking the UN’s top post. #UNCharterIsOurRules: Both Sides reaffirmed their commitment to the UN’s central coordinating role in world affairs.

6 июня по всему миру празднуется День русского языка 🇷🇺 Русский язык является одним из шести официальных языков Организации Объединённых Наций, и с момента основания ООН играет важную роль в развитии международного диалога.

🎙 Statement by President of Russia Vladimir Putin at the plenary session of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum (Saint Petersburg, June 5, 2026) Key talking points: • We are witnessing turmoil in the energy markets and tensions being provoked in certain regions, primarily in the Middle East, and how the short-sighted EU bureaucracy policies are being implemented to the accompaniment of aggressive rhetoric and leading to Europe continuing to lose its standing in the global economy, while also undermining regional and global security. In fact, European elites are inciting chaos and are trying to embroil ever more countries into it. These processes did not arise all by themselves; they are the result of the world undergoing the largest structural transformation in decades. This transformation is not a transition from one phase of a cycle to another. We are witnessing a change in the paradigm of global development. *** • It has become clear that investment plans and business development steps may face serious risk where the external infrastructure on which they rely could be used against them. Therefore, countries are beginning to develop their own technological solutions, create their own supply routes, and build their own institutions. Russia is experiencing these transformations firsthand. Although pressure on our country persists, the changing global landscape has also created greater room for manoeuvre. New partnerships are emerging, new financial and technological solutions are being developed, and access to promising markets is expanding. Against this backdrop, Russia views global change not only as a source of challenges but also as a tremendous opportunity. To make the most of these opportunities, we seek to act swiftly and pragmatically. *** • The world becomes more equitable when economic growth is distributed more broadly and opportunities become available to billions of people who have long remained on the periphery of the global economy. It is very important that these new centres of growth seek to shape their own development paths, increase their share of value creation, and build their own brands, standards, and capabilities. If you look at the global GDP dynamics of the last five years, you will see that almost half of its annual growth, 49%, is accounted for by #BRICS countries, whereas the contribution of the so-called Group of Seven is estimated at 18%. *** • Sanctions and, basically, the theft of Russia’s international reserves have had an irreversible effect on the positions of the world currencies, the US dollar and the euro. This is an objective reality that cannot be ignored. Today, every country – let me stress, every country without exception – understands that, like Russia, it could at any moment lose access to assets lawfully held in dollars or euros, as well as to Western financial and payment infrastructure. We recognise that this ultimately boils down to the issue of unfair competition. The specific pretexts may vary, and they can always be found. In Russia’s case, it was the conflict in Ukraine. In other instances, it may be developments in the Middle East, conflicts in Africa, or even a country’s stance on LGBT-related issues. A justification can always be found. But the underlying problem remains the same: this is unfair competition. • Importantly, possessing an independent technological base is critical for countries with large populations, vast territories, and distinctive cultures. Such countries cannot act merely as users of foreign-made solutions, because in that case they risk becoming objects of control by external platforms. And how those platforms are used is another matter. • In essence, major countries – true civilisations – face a historic choice: 👉 either they create their own platform and technological ecosystems, 👉 or they become a digital periphery. There should be no illusions about this. Foreign services may initially be user friendly, but over time the cost of such dependency will inevitably become apparent. 📄 Full text of the statement

🗓 June 6 is celebrated in Russia as #RussianLanguageDay. ✍️ #OTD in 1799, 227 years ago, the great poet, prose writer, playwright, historian, publicist, and creator of modern Russian literary language, Alexander Sergeyevich Pushkin, was born. *** On June 6, 2011, the President of the Russian Federation signed a decree establishing the annual celebration of Russian Language Day in order to “preserve, support, and promote the Russian language as a national treasure of the peoples of the Russian Federation, a means of international communication, and an integral part of the cultural and spiritual heritage of world civilization.” *** The history of the Russian language spans more than a thousand years. Throughout that time, it has united tribes and peoples, including in the face of foreign invasions, while shaping the worldview and values of those who lived — and continue to live — on Russian soil. A key milestone was the emergence of writing in the 9th century. The brothers Cyril and Methodius created the Slavic literary tradition, and the first alphabets were Glagolitic and Cyrillic. Around the same time, Old Church Slavonic began to take shape. Used primarily for religious texts, it had a profound influence on the development of Russian written culture. Over the centuries, the Russian language evolved continuously and absorbed new vocabulary. However, it was Pushkin who ultimately transformed it into the living, elegant, flexible, and expressive language spoken today. As a poet, thinker, and playwright, he not only reformed his native tongue but also laid the foundations of great Russian literature. The modern form of the Russian language emerged after the orthographic reform of 1917–1918, which abolished several archaic letters and simplified spelling rules. ❤️ Our “great and mighty” language, like any dynamic and developing language, continues to grow, constantly enriched by new words and expressions as it adapts to the realities of the modern world. 🇷🇺 Today, Russian remains one of the world's leading languages of communication: • one of the six official languages of the United Nations; • a working language of international diplomacy, science, and culture; • the ninth most spoken language in the world (more than 250 million speakers); • the second most widely used language on the internet by number of websites. #GreatAndMighty

🎥 Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s video address on Russian Language Day (Moscow, June 6, 2026) 💬 Friends, Congratulations on Russian Language Day, a holiday celebrated worldwide on the birthday of Alexander Pushkin, our great poet and creator of the language of modern Russian literature. The Russian language is endlessly colourful and expressive. It serves as the foundation of the cultural, spiritual and historical code of our country – a civilisation state. The language of Alexander Pushkin and Fyodor Dostoyevsky is a vital means of international communication. The “great and mighty” Russian language is one of the most commonly used languages in the world, including in the digital sphere. It is one of the official UN languages and the language of some other multilateral organisations. Speaking Russian means to have a key to the treasury of world art, advanced scientific achievements, and the most extensive economic opportunities. I especially want to emphasise the unifying role of the Russian language in the efforts to strengthen peace and neighbourliness in Eurasia, shaping a new security architecture in Eurasia, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Russia, Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan upheld President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev’s initiative to establish the International Organisation for the Russian Language. In March 2026 in Moscow, the first ministerial conference of this organisation marked the beginning of its work. It is important to note that all countries sharing its values can join the International Organisation for the Russian Language. Some of our unquestionable priorities include the protection and support of those people who consider Russian their mother tongue. We will continue to counter any incidents of language discrimination and Russophobia decisively – wherever they take place. We will certainly fight for restoring the rights of those Russian and Russian-speaking people who have been openly terrorised by the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev. Resolving this matter is among the necessary conditions for a long-term settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. And, of course, we will continue to do what it takes to help our compatriots abroad as well as our foreign partners when it comes to learning Russian, studying in Russian, fulfilling cultural and educational projects. Friends, The year 2026 has numerous commemorative dates associated with the Russian language. We are marking 225 years since the birth of Vladimir Dal, creator of the Explanatory Dictionary of the Living Great Russian Language, the 200th birthday of public figure and unrivalled satirist Mikhail Saltykov-Shchedrin, and the 90th birthday of prominent linguist and President of St Petersburg State University, founder of the Russian World Foundation Lyudmila Verbitskaya. This year, the Foreign Ministry and the Russian World Foundation established an award for contribution to global Russian studies, named after Vitaly Kostomarov, outstanding linguist who stood at the origins of Alexander Pushkin State Institute of the Russian Language. This award is for merited teachers of the Russian language and literature from the general, higher and extracurricular education in foreign countries. Furthermore, the award will celebrate significant achievements in translation and research. We expect the first awards ceremony to take place this year in Moscow. I want to extend my heartfelt congratulations to everybody who loves the Russian language, the powerful Russian word, and who contributes to preserving the multifaceted heritage of the Russian world. Happy Russian Language Day and my best wishes.

Russia's Defence Ministry: ⚡️ On June 5, 185 Russian servicemen were returned from territory controlled by the Kiev regime in exchange for 185 Ukrainian POWs. The returned Russian servicemen are currently in the Republic of Belarus, where Russia’s Human Rights Commissioner Yana Lantratova is providing assistance. After receiving the necessary psychological and medical assistance, the Russian servicemen will be transported to the Russian Federation for further treatment and rehabilitation at medical facilities of the Russian Defence Ministry. 🤝 The United Arab Emirates provided humanitarian mediation assistance in securing the return of the Russian servicemen.

🎙 President of Russia Vladimir Putin held a meeting with heads of international news agencies (St Petersburg, June 4, 2026) Key points: • In recent years, especially since the start of the special military operation, people have increasingly been saying: “Russia has pivoted towards Asia. It has changed its policy”. Russia has changed nothing and made no pivots. The Treaty underpinning #RussiaChina cooperation was signed in 2001. We are natural allies and partners. • Russia and India have a great deal of joint work ahead. We are confident that in the coming years we will reach $100 billion in trade turnover. At present, it stands at around $60 billion – or rather $58 billion. But we have every prerequisite to work more actively and pursue more ambitious goals. • The US is trying to pressure India on certain issues, including some aspects of cooperation with Russia. But it should be clear to everyone by now: pressuring Prime Minister Modi, who leads a country of 1.5 billion people, is a futile exercise. • We are certainly ready and willing to reach an agreement with Ukraine by peaceful means, and on the basis we discussed at the meeting with President Trump in Anchorage. At that time, Russia was presented with a number of issues so that we could agree to certain compromises. Russia is prepared to accept the compromises we discussed in Anchorage, 👉 the Ukrainian side must now also agree to them. • What kind of mediator can the EU or individual EU countries be in the Ukrainian settlement when they are directly assisting the country with which we are in an armed conflict, effectively becoming involved in hostilities? What kind of mediators are they? Mediation requires neutrality. • If someone in the EU believes it is worthwhile to revive dialogue with Russia – go ahead, by all means. But who would be the negotiator on Europe’s side? I do not know; we are not imposing anything. Naturally, we want to understand who that could be. And I repeat once again: they should be people who can be trusted. This is a working matter that can be discussed quietly and calmly, say, at the level of foreign ministries or intelligence services. Contacts between intelligence services, incidentally, are ongoing. • The EU could play a positive role – not by supplying weapons, but by trying to persuade the Kiev authorities to accept the compromises we discussed in Anchorage. That is all. • We can sign agreements with Ukraine only with people who are unquestionably, in the full sense of the word, legitimate for signing documents of this kind. There are many possible options: the speaker of parliament, perhaps Zelensky himself. We need to see what kind of documents these are and what legal consequences they will have. • Against the backdrop of developments around Iran and the Strait of Hormuz, the tragedy of Palestine has been forgotten – but it has not gone away. I want to stress this once again: in Russia's view, there can be only one fundamental way to resolve this issue – the creation of a fully-fledged Palestinian State. • In 2015, Russia played a positive role in resolving the situation around Iran. At the time, we transported enriched uranium from the country to Russian territory, and this formed the basis of the #JCPOA, meaning that the crisis was resolved. The proposals are on the table; we are ready to do this again, just as we did in 2015. If not, then we will hope that the parties involved in this conflict find another solution. Read in full