Russian MFA 🇷🇺

✉️ Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s greetings to the organisers and guests of the exhibition marking 150 years since the passing of Iosif Goshkevich, the first diplomatic envoy of the Russian Empire to Japan (July 2, 2026)✍️ I am delighted to welcome our Russian and Belarusian colleagues, as well as our compatriots in Japan and foreign guests at the exhibition which honours the memory of Russia’s first diplomatic representative to Japan, Iosif Goshkevich, who was a Belarusian native.A century and a half have passed since his demise, but we still remember him as an outstanding person and an excellent diplomat of the Russian Empire whose work was instrumental in establishing and developing our state-to-state relations with neighbouring Japan. A prominent expert in Oriental studies, Iosif Goshkevich was fluent in the Japanese language and worked hard to build trust between our two countries.It is gratifying that so many civil society and regional organisations in Japan, as well as ordinary people, primarily in the Hokkaido Prefecture where the first Russian consular mission headed by Iosif Goshkevich was located, remained committed to preserving and cherishing the positive legacy of our shared past by honouring the traditions of mutual respect and neighbourliness.☝️ I am aware that there are staunch advocates of constructive dialogue and mutually beneficial cooperation with Russia in Japan. It is my conviction that this sentiment will remain immune to any momentary political considerations.I hope that this this exhibition will make a considerable contribution to understanding the past and help develop a fresh perspective regarding the key stages in the relations between Russia and Belarus, on the one hand, and Japan on the other hand, while attracting a wider audience and researchers, as well as demonstrating the cultural and spiritual unity of the nations forming the Union State.I wish everyone who came to the Russian Embassy in Tokyo today to enjoy this exhi

💬 Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’s Rights Maria Lvova-Belova:On July 2, I held a meeting with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (#ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric.Almost two years have passed since our last meeting. Throughout this time, we have continued our joint work in an open and systematic manner.The main topic was the reunification of children with their families living in Russia, Ukraine and third countries, which we are facilitating on instructions from President Vladimir Putin. Each case is considered individually, taking into account the circumstances, legal grounds, the child’s opinion and, of course, their best interests.I thanked the ICRC for its assistance in transferring children to their relatives, organising transportation, a humanitarian corridor and accommodation for parents.☝️ Since the start of the special military operation, with our assistance, 30 children from 22 families have returned to their loved ones in Russia. Another 141 children from 114 families have been reunited with their relatives in Ukraine and third countries. In the overwhelming majority of cases, this was done with the ICRC’s direct involvement.Documents have already been prepared to reunite four children with their loved ones in Ukraine. However, regular shelling and strikes by the Ukrainian militants currently make it impossible to arrange their departure.I also noted cases where parents living in Russia are searching for their children in EU countries, and asked the ICRC to help reunite these families.❗️ Special attention during the meeting was given to Ukraine’s crimes against Russian children: the deaths and injuries of minors, strikes on civilian infrastructure, and attempts to involve teenagers in terrorist and sabotage activities.Such issues require constant dialogue, trust and meticulous joint work. We hope to continue constructive cooperation in the interests of children and families.💬 Russian Presidential Commissioner for Children’

The State Protocol Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry:🗓 On June 29, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s State Protocol Department, together with the Moscow City Tourism Committee, hosted a reception for heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the Russian Federation at the ZILART Museum and Exhibition Centre.The event, held as part of Moscow Mayor’s Summer in Moscow project, was attended by Ambassadors and senior diplomats from over 50 countries, as well as representatives of Russian government agencies and cultural institutions.The speakers at the event noted that Moscow continues to develop confidently as a modern metropolis, while carefully preserving its rich historical heritage. Special emphasis was placed on historical memory, continuity of traditions and respect for the past as a solid foundation for future development.The evening programme, titled 'Moscow Now and Then. All the Time', presented the many facets of the Russian capital through its historical legacy, modern development and vibrant cultural life.The guests toured the ZILART Museum exhibition, took part in creative workshops and enjoyed an original gastronomic concept inspired by contemporary Moscow.The State Protocol Department of the Russian Foreign Ministry:🗓 On June 29, the Russian Foreign Ministry’s State Protocol Department, together with the Moscow City Tourism Committee, hosted a reception for heads of diplomatic missions accredited in the Russian Federation at the ZILART Museum and Exhibition Centre.The event, held as part of Moscow Mayor’s Summer in Moscow project, was attended by Ambassadors and senior diplomats from over 50 countries, as well as representatives of Russian government agencies and cultural institutions.The speakers at the event noted that Moscow continues to develop confidently as a modern metropolis, while carefully preserving its rich historical heritage. Special emphasis was placed on historical memory, continuity of traditions and respect for the past as a soli

🤝 On July 1, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (#ICRC) Mirjana Spoljaric, who arrived in Russia on a working visit.The meeting focused on humanitarian activities in key regional areas, including the Ukrainian crisis and the situations in Iran, Syria, Palestine, Yemen, as well as in Africa and Southeast Asia.Special attention was paid to the results of joint efforts to verify data on the #KievRegimeCrimes, as well as to expanding the ICRC’s cooperation with Russian humanitarian organizations and human rights bodies, including in Donbass.Both Sides emphasized the importance of strict compliance with international humanitarian law and depoliticized cooperation in this area.Following the conversation, they confirmed mutual interest in continuing regular contacts and strengthening practical cooperation between Russia and the ICRC.👉 Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during talks with Mirjana Spoljaric#RussiaICRC

6️⃣0️⃣ years ago, on July 1, 1966, French President, General Charles de Gaulle concluded his state visit to the Soviet Union.The French Leader’s visit to our country became a landmark event in relations between the USSR and the West during the Cold War, clearly proving Paris’s independent and pragmatic course. Under President de Gaulle, France was seeking mutually beneficial relations with Moscow on the principles of equality, constructive cooperation, trust and respect cemented by the experience of allied fight against Nazism during #WW2.The talks held in Moscow between the Soviet leadership and the President of France — one of the major European powers — contributed significantly to easing tensions amid growing escalation of the Cold War 1960-s. The Soviet-French Joint Declaration on the principles of relations, signed in Moscow on June 30, 1966, was subsequently reflected in the key document of the pan-European process, the Helsinki Final Act of 1975.During his visit to the Soviet Union, the French leader visited Moscow, Leningrad, Kiev, Volgograd, Novosibirsk as well as the Baikonur Space Centre. Charles de Gaulle finished each and every address to the Soviet people with a final phrase spoken in Russian to pay respect for our country, its great history and the entire Soviet nation.📸 The photo exhibition of the most remarkable moments from General de Gaulle’s visit to the USSR, organised by the Russian Embassy in France A series of important sectoral agreements between our countries were signed following the visit. A bilateral intergovernmental commission began meeting regularly. Bilateral trade expanded steadily, with ties intensifying across all spheres of cooperation. The Soviet-French agreement was signed to establish a direct communication line between the Kremlin and the Élysée Palace.💬 At the farewell dinner in the Kremlin on the final day of the visit, before his departure for France, President de Gaulle uttered these historic words:As for our common go

🎙 Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s opening remarks during talks with President of the International Committee of the Red Cross Mirjana Spoljaric (Moscow, July 1, 2026)💬 Sergey Lavrov: I would like to once again congratulate you on your election as President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (#ICRC).Our regular contacts, not only at the Russian Foreign Ministry, help us build clearer interaction with an organisation we respect and want to strengthen.Of course, we want the ICRC to be strengthened on the principles that have underpinned its work from the very beginning, above all 👉 independence and impartiality.We appreciate that the Committee’s leadership has for many decades sought to uphold these principles.This task is acquiring special importance today, given that our Western colleagues, unfortunately, do not wish to respect the foundations on which the ICRC rests and, frankly speaking, seek to manipulate its activities in their selfish political interests.☝️ These attempts are especially evident in connection with the crisis in Ukraine, where Western countries are doing everything they can to whitewash and shield the Kiev regime, which on a daily basis commits gross violations of international humanitarian law and crimes against humanity.We are confident that your visit will allow for a useful discussion of the situation unfolding in Ukraine through the prism of international humanitarian law.I would like to emphasize that Russia will continue to fulfill its obligations under international humanitarian law, no matter what. We expect you to address similar appeals to your other partners as well.Specific aspects of our cooperation with the Committee on humanitarian issues, including the situation of prisoners and POW exchanges, will be discussed not only here today, but also during your meetings at the Russian Defense Ministry, with the Human Rights Commissioner in the Russian Federation Yana Lantratova, and with Presidential Commissioner f