Lavrov Declares Russia Shuts Mission To NATO In Response To Alliance’s Actions

Russia is suspending the operation of its mission to NATO from November 1 following the NATO’s decision to revoke the accreditation of eight Russian mission employees, Sergey Lavrov said on Monday.

"In response to NATO’s actions, we are suspending the activity of the NATO military liaison mission in Moscow and will recall the accreditation of its staff from November 1 this year," Minister said.

Also, the operation of the NATO information office in Moscow that was set up at the embassy of the Kingdom of Belgium will be terminated, Lavrov added.

According to the Russian top diplomat, Moscow has already informed NATO about these steps. "The NATO International Staff has already been notified. Our ministry will release a statement soon," Lavrov said.

He recalled that NATO had officially notified Russia on October 6 that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg had passed a decision to revoke the accreditation of eight staffers of the Russian mission to the organization from November 1 and to reduce the mission’s staff, including administrative and technical personnel, to ten people.

"No explanations of the causes of such a step have been provided. I met with Mr. Stoltenberg in New York several days before this decision was announced. He kept on stressing NATO’s sincere, as he said, interest in normalizing relations with Russia in the interests of de-escalation of tensions on the European continent," Lavrov said.

At the same time, in his words, this step was of "practically no surprise" for Russia because the mission staff was reduced twice at NATO’s request - in 2015 and in 2018. "Since 2014, NATO has curbed any contacts with our mission, announced the complete termination of practical cooperation both in civilian areas and among the military. There have been no contacts between the military at all. As I have already said, as a matter of fact, NATO has actually imposed a ban on visiting its headquarters for our diplomats and it is impossible to maintain contacts without such visits. NATO has actually banned elementary contacts with the International Staff," he added.

The Russian top diplomat stressed that it only proves that "NATO is interested neither in an equal dialogue nor in any joint work."

"If it is so, we see no reason to continue to pretend that any changes are possible in the foreseeable future because NATO has already said that such changes are impossible," he said. "As a matter of fact, we have practically no opportunity for elementary diplomatic work because of NATO’s steps".

Putin: Russian Opposition Is Alive And Well

The opposition, acting within the framework of Russian laws, continues to criticize the authorities, Vladimir Putin said in response to Hadley Gamble's question during Russian Energy Week on Wednesday.

"As for the opposition in general, it is out there working. It is alive and well and continues criticising the authorities. Moreover, its criticism, let me repeat, is probably tougher than in other countries. switch on some Russian media and you will understand everything. They are working; nobody is doing anything to them, everything is all right. Moreover, they are even getting money from Gazprom. Gazprom sells gas to Europe and funds opposition media," Putin said.

The President also briefly mentioned the criminal case against Alexei Navalny, however, as always, he did not call him by name.

"As for the defendants you mentioned [Navalny], they are in detention facilities not for their political activities but for criminal offences, in part, against foreign entrepreneurs operating in Russia. these were repeat offences. moreover, they were actually forgiven for these violations more than once. but there must be some consequences for those who commit them. there is no reason to abuse the trust of society to achieve economic or other advantages, using political activities for protection," Putin noted. Vladimir Putin added: "If you look at street protests, you will see that far from all of their participants are in prison. people are working – those who do not violate applicable laws."

Putin: Russia Does Not Print Money Like Candy Wrappers To Solve Economic...

The Bank of Russia does not print money like candy wrappers (unsecured funds) to solve economic problems in the country, unlike the USA and Europe, Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at a plenary session of the Russian Energy Week.

"Yes, we have problems in the economy. Yes, of course, incomes in our country have fallen just like in the rest of the world. We are very worried about this state of affairs and are working to make sure that economic growth and the quality of this growth translate into higher wages. It is a complex process that needs time, a lot of focus, and administrative and financial resources. We have not achieved results for everyone, but we know what is happening and where, where people particularly need state support, so we are doing it in a targeted manner and providing additional income for families with children and for senior citizens. We are targeting the needy cases quite effectively," Putin said.

Inflation is up at over 7 percent, food prices have grown by even more than 7.5 percent. This is way above Russian goventment expectations. However, unlike its American and European partners, the Central Bank of Russia does not print "empty" money to solve problems in the economy.

"How much have food prices grown around the world? For various reasons, including in the wake of developments on the global energy markets. Indeed, we are part of a system. We have our share of problems, and we are working on them. I am confident that, given the support of the Russian people, we will certainly overcome these challenges, President noted.

Putin: Arms Race Underway After US Withdrawal From ABM Treaty

The weapon race between Russia and the US is on the move after Washington's withdrawal from the Anti-Ballistic Missile (ABM) Treaty, Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday at a plenary session of the Russian Energy Week.

"The arms race is on the march, unfortunately. And it has started after the US withdrawal from the ABM Treaty," the Russian president noted.

Putin recalled that back in 2003 he urged the US not to withdraw from the ABM Treaty. "This is a fundamental thing, the cornerstone of global security. What is the ABM Treaty? This is not just protection, it is an attempt to gain strategic advantages by de-energizing the nuclear potential of a probable opponent, that is, ours," the Russian leader pointed out.

"What should we do in response? Either create the same system, which costs a lot of money and may be not so efficient, or establish another system that will certainly outperform the ABM Treaty," the head of the state went on to say. "And I said that we would do it. The American partners replied that their missile defense system was not against [Russia], so we could do what we want, and [the US] would proceed from the assumption that this was not against it. And we did it, so what is the problem? And now [the US] does not like it," the president noted.

"We are ready to consider the existing circumstances and hold a constructive dialogue in this direction," Putin concluded.

The Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty between the USSR and the US was signed in Moscow on May 26, 1972. However, it was terminated on June 13, 2002, following the unilateral US withdrawal.

Putin: US Democracy Is More Flawed Than Russian

Russian democracy has flaws, but that doesn't mean it has more than the United States and in the West in general, Vladimir Putin said in response to Hadley Gamble's question during Russian Energy Week on Wednesday.

Democracy, according to Putin, is understood in different ways: freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of organisation, holding mass rallies in the streets, and so on.

"When various rallies in Europe or the United States are dispersed with rubber bullets and tear gas – is it freedom or not ? It does not look very much like freedom," Russian lider noted.

The United States went to Afghanistan ignoring the traditions, culture and history of the Afghan people. This led to tragedy.

"The danger of terrorism growing and spreading across the region and around the world is enormous and has increased. it is the result of ignoring the realities of that country," Putin said. This applies to any country, including Russia.

"If we are talking about the development of democracy in Russia, we must be mindful of its culture and traditions, including the traditions of parliamentarism," he added.

Everything must guarantee the interests of the people, and Russia’s political system is also evolving steadily so as to prevent any revolutions.

"We have reached our limit on revolutions. we need a stable and calm environment that guarantees the rights and interests of the Russian people and stable development of the economy and social sphere. thankfully, we are on this path today and I hope that we will continue that way. The worries about the death of democracy in Russia have been greatly exaggerated, as Mark Twain famously said in response to rumours about his death. do not worry about us and better think about yourself and what is going on at your home," Putin said.

Vladimir Putin raised the issue of lobbying in the United States.

"What is lobbying about ? What is official lobbying in the United States about ? It is legalised corruption, that is what it is, it is clear as day," Putin stressed.

Putin: The Current US Anti-Russian Policy Has No Future

Moscow hopes that the realization that the anti-Russian policy pursued by the United States has no future will eventually prevail and the two countries can gradually rebuild their relationship, Vladimir Putin said Wednesday at Russian Energy Week.

Putin believes that Russia and US have fundamental interests in ensuring security, reducing strategic offensive arms, countering terrorism and money laundering, including tax havens, and stabilising energy markets.

"There is no doubt at all that these objective goals and mutual interests will lead to the improvement of our relations in one way or another and that the US political establishment will stop using Russian-US relations to the detriment of its own interests and its own businesses," he added.

The Russian leader expressed hope for the normalization of bilateral relations.

"The Americans have introduced sanctions in the energy sector. What have they achieved? ExxonMobil has withdrawn from profitable contracts, stopped its participation in them with one exception for a contract in the Far East, which it has been part of for a very long time. So, who has gained anything? Nobody has gained anything. Gas prices have skyrocketed and the Americans have to suffer from some events that took place in the oil market. The result is not just zero but negative for those who are doing this. I hope the realisation that this policy has no future will eventually prevail and we will be able to gradually restore our relations," Putin stressed.

Lavrov Delivers Putin's Message To Congress Of Compatriots Living Abroad

Sergey Lavrov delivered a greeting message from Vladimir Putin to the 7th World Congress of Compatriots Living Abroad, which he himself had opened earlier on Saturday in Moscow.

“Friends, “From all my heart, I welcome you to the World Congress of Compatriots in Moscow. This forum brings together delegates from more than 100 countries. Ahead of it, the Russian Constitution was amended to add a provision on protecting the rights and interests of our compatriots and preserving Russian cultural identity. These legal provisions create conditions for further improving the state policy regarding those who, by the will of fate, found themselves abroad and away from their homeland.

“Supporting compatriots living abroad and facilitating major projects in education, culture and social security invariably remains a priority for the entire nation. We intend to step up our efforts in this sphere, including within the corresponding Government commission.

“The topic of the Congress is ‘Russia and Our Compatriots in a Changing World.’ It offers an opportunity to discuss a wide range of topical matters. I hope that during your discussions you will put forward ideas and initiatives for finding the most effective ways to fulfill the creative potential of the millions-strong Russian world.

"I would like to sincerely thank you for your proactive efforts to promote the Russian world, language and culture, and preserve Russian traditions and the rich cultural heritage. Moving forward, we will uphold our commitment to provide you all possible assistance and support.

“I wish you every success and all the best!

Vladimir Putin”

Putin Participates In Population Census Online

Vladimir Putin has taken part in the national population census online. For this he used the portal of government and municipal services.

Then Putin addressed fellow citizens in these words: "I should tell you that this is not a formality. In this connection I would like to address the authorities of all levels, from municipal to federal, with a reminder that it is your obligation to provide assistance to your colleagues, who will be doing this job and to the volunteers who will participate in it."

Under the Russian government’s resolution, the national population census is to be held on October 15-November 14, 2021. The customary procedure of polling Russians at home has been completed by an opportunity to fill in a questionnaire on one’s own using a portal of government services.

Also, it is possible to be interviewed by census takers at the multi-functional centers providing government and municipal services My Documents. The results of the first phase of the population census will be made public by May 31, 2022, and of the second one, by December 31, 2022.

Russian Warship Thwarts US Destroyer’s Attempt To Violate State Border I...

The Russian Pacific Fleet’s large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs thwarted an attempt by a US guided missile destroyer to violate Russia’s state border in the Sea of Japan, the Defense Ministry of Russia reported on Friday.

"Today, at about 5:00 p.m. local time, the US Navy’s destroyer Chafee (DDG-90), which has been operating in the Sea of Japan for several days, approached the territorial waters of the Russian Federation and attempted to cross the state border," the ministry said in a statement.

The Pacific Fleet’s large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs warned the foreign warship of the inadmissibility of such actions and that it was operating in an area closed for shipping due to artillery firings as part of the Russia-China Joint Sea 2021 naval maneuvers, the ministry specified. "After getting the warning, instead of changing its course to leave the closed area, the destroyer Chafee raised its colors implying that its helicopter was due to take off from its deck, which meant that the course and the speed could not be changed, and took actions to violate the state border of the Russian Federation in the Peter the Great Bay," the statement says.

Following the international rules of the sea, the Admiral Tributs set its course towards chasing the intruder out of Russian territorial waters, the ministry said.

"After becoming convinced of the Russian warship’s resolve to prevent the violation of the state border, the guided missile destroyer Chafee reversed its course at 5:50 p.m. when less than 60 meters were left in its distance from the large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs," it said.

Russia’s top brass branded the actions by the crew of the US guided missile destroyer a gross violation of the international regulations for preventing collisions at sea and the 1972 Russia-US inter-governmental agreement on preventing incidents at sea and in the airspace.

The Pacific Fleet’s large anti-submarine warfare ship Admiral Tributs continues accomplishing its assignments in the Sea of Japan, it added.

The USS Chafee (DDG-90) is a US Navy Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer floated out in 2002. The warship can develop a speed of 32 knots and has a crew of 380. As its basic armament, it carries the Aegis 96-cell launching system that can launch various missiles, such as Tomahawks or Standard Missile-3 air defense and anti-ballistic missile defense weapons.

The US warship also carries various artillery armaments and six torpedo tubes. The destroyer’s air group consists of two SH-60 helicopters placed in a helicopter hangar.

Russia’s Defense Ministry reported on June 23 that the UK Navy’s guided missile destroyer Defender ventured into the Russian territorial waters off Crimea’s Fiolent Cape in the Black Sea. The Russian forces and border guards opened warning fire along the UK warship’s course, following which it left Russia’s territorial waters. The Russian Defense Ministry slammed the actions by the British warship’s crew as a gross violation of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

During his annual Q&A session on June 30, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the incident with the British guided missile destroyer Defender off Crimea was a complex provocation "that was staged not only by the British but also by the Americans." The Russian leader added that the Defender pursued reconnaissance goals when it ventured into Russia’s territorial waters in the Black Sea.

Zakharova Slams EU’s New Sanctions Against Russia As Hypocrisy

The European Union’s decision to extend the list of Russian nationals, under sanctions for allegedly posing a threat to the territorial integrity of Ukraine, is an example of the European Union’s hypocrisy, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

The diplomat stressed that any "sanctions decisions," which were made bypassing the UN Security Council, are illegitimate from the international legal stance.

"On the whole, this is how they must be treated," she said speaking at a news conference. "There is certainly a political overtone. These are sanctions games, these are the real sanctions games of the European Union."

"It is deeply regrettable because they are completely politically motivated, have nothing to do with the law and contradict the law," Zakharova noted. "They were approved on the eve of the Ukraine-EU summit, which took place on October 12, while the [sanctions] decisions were made on October 11. It was also a signal for Kiev, which supports sabotaging the Minsk Accords."

"When our EU partners, as I have said before, call on us to implement the Minsk Accords in full and at the same time give Kiev a corresponding signal in the form of such decisions, which, according to them, must somehow restrain Russia and somehow reprove it, we can call it only as games and hypocrisy," she added.

Zakharova said that the illegal restrictions on behalf of the European Union also affected the staff of the Russian judicial bodies, which is, according to her, an open attempt to exert pressure on the Russian judicial authorities, which "independently and impartially execute their duties." "We will certainly respond to such an unfriendly step on behalf of the European Union," the diplomat noted. On October 11, the European Union expanded its blacklist over Crimea’s reunification with Russia, adding eight individuals, including the head of the Federal Security Service (FSB) in Crimea and Sevastopol, Leonid Mikhailiuk.

Several judges, prosecutors and security officers "responsible for enforcing Russian law" in Crimea that Brussels refuses to recognize as part of Russia, were added to the list, according to a report in the Official Journal of the European Union on October 11.

Apart from Mikhailiuk, the list includes Vladimir Terentiev, Head of the Main Investigation Department of the Investigative Committee of Russia for the Republic of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol, Crimean judges Viktor Mozheliansky, Galina Redko, Mikhail Belousov and Andrey Dolgopolov, investigator Magomed Magomedov and prosecutor Yevgeny Kolpikov.

Thus, according to the document, there are 185 individuals on the black list. Restrictive measures include, in particular, travel bans and asset freezes.

This block of individual sanctions is part of the three packages of sanctions that the EU imposed against Russia in 2014, along with sectoral economic sanctions that were prolonged in July until January 31, 2022, and sanctions against citizens and companies of Crimea that will remain in effect until late June, being extended once a year.

As the condition for lifting individual and economic sanctions, the EU cites full compliance with the Minsk agreements, ignoring the fact that Ukraine fully sabotages them. The EU is not planning to abolish sanctions over Crimea as long as the peninsula remains part of Russia.

Putin About Karabakh: ‘Bad Peace Is Better Than Good War’

A bad peace is better than a good war, Vladimir Putin said on Friday commenting on the situation around Nagorno-Karabakh.

The situation in this region was among the topics discussed at a meeting of the CIS heads of state. "It once again demonstrates the wisdom of the popular saying that a bad peace is better than and a good war, every quarrel turns the world red and the like," Putin said.

According to the Russian president, the key role of the Commonwealth of Independent States is in ensuring conditions for peaceful cooperation and joint work in the interests of the prosperity of its nations. "This is the key goal of the updated concept of the CIS further development and the strategy for the CIS economic development until the year 2030," Putin stressed.

Kishida's Kuril Ultimatum Seems To Have Impressed Only The Japanese PM Himself

Ultimatum-sounding remarks by Japan’s newly-elected Prime Minister Fumio Kishida that Tokyo won’t agree to sign a peace treaty with Moscow without settling the territorial issue postpone the prospects of solving this problem, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.

"If these ultimatum-sounding statements are used by the Japanese to set conditions for further negotiations on a peace treaty, then, in our view, our partners only further delay the prospect of solving it by such moves," the Russian diplomat said at a briefing on the sidelines of the 3rd Eurasian Women’s Forum.

Moscow’s invariable stance is that Japan should accept the full outcome of World War II, including the legitimacy of Russia’s possession of the southern Kuril Islands as a top priority step in this direction, the Russian diplomat said.

"At the same time, the sides should look for a mutually acceptable solution to the issue of a peace treaty through the comprehensive development of Russian-Japanese relations by way of building up economic, commercial and investment cooperation and implementing confidence-building measures in the military and political sphere, in addition to bringing their positions in international affairs closer to each other," Zakharova emphasized.

Japan’s Prime Minister Kishida earlier claimed that Tokyo’s sovereignty extended to the southern Kuril Islands. In his keynote speech in parliament on October 8, the head of the government stressed that Japan would not sign a peace treaty with Russia without settling the territorial issue. He also told reporters that he favored solving the issue of the ownership of all the South Kuril Islands that Japan laid claims to.

Moscow and Tokyo have been holding consultations since the mid-20th century in order to clinch a peace treaty in the aftermath of World War II. The southern Kuril Islands issue remains the key sticking point. In 1945, the whole archipelago was handed over to the Soviet Union. However, Tokyo laid claims to Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan and a group of uninhabited islands.

Tokyo frequently lodges protests over Russia’s activity on the southern Kuril Islands, which Moscow consistently rejects. The Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly stated that Moscow’s sovereignty over the islands is enshrined in international law and cannot be called into question.

Putin Disappointed With Gamble's Intelligence

Vladimir Putin said that Russia fully fulfills its contractual obligations for gas supplies to Europe, and even increased these volumes, answering a question from a moderator, a reporter from the CNBC Hadley Gamble. However, she again asks the question about the supply of Russian gas, as if she didn’t hear the President.

"A beautiful woman, pretty. I say one thing, and she responds with something entirely different. As if she did not hear what I said. I will tell you one more time now," Putin said.

Listen, you just said: you are not supplying gas to Europe via gas pipelines. You are being misled. You and everyone else who uses information from such sources. We are increasing deliveries to Europe; Gazprom has upped supplies by 10 percent, and in general, Russia has increased supplies to Europe by 15 percent. Pipeline gas is up by 10 percent, and LNG, up to 13 percent. We are increasing, not reducing deliveries. But other suppliers have cut deliveries by 14 billion cubic metres. US suppliers account for half of the cuts.

Lavrov Surprised By Persistent Western Efforts To Proceed With Normandy Format

The persistent efforts of the Normandy Four’s Western members to continue the work without fulfilling the Minsk agreements is surprising, Sergey Lavrov said on Thursday.

"Actually, I was a little surprised that our Western colleagues were promoting the resumption of the Normandy format with such assertiveness, without the implementation of previous decisions on their part," the top diplomat stated.

Furthermore, the Russian foreign minister mentioned the EU-Ukraine summit in Kiev, which resulted in a joint statement signed, in particular, by President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen and President of the European Council Charles Michel. In this statement, Russia "was directly named the aggressor." "In such very rude, I would say, categorical terms, we are asked to fulfill the Minsk agreements since, as it was stated, we are a party to this document," Lavrov went on to say. "This is far from and opposite to the truth and contradicts even those ambiguous statements made by the German and French experts."

As the top diplomat noted, the German and French co-authors of the Minsk agreements earlier refrained from identifying the parties to the Donbass conflict in order to preserve "constructive uncertainty." "Currently, instead of constructive uncertainty Ms. von der Leyen and Mr. Michel, as well as Mr. [President of Ukraine Vladimir] Zelensky, have directly named Russia a party to the conflict. We want to understand what is happening in the EU and how we can work further," Lavrov said.

On Wednesday, Spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova stated that the issues on the agenda of the Normandy Four’s meeting at the level of the top diplomats were being worked out following the relevant instructions from the leaders of Russia, France and Germany after the phone conversation on October 11. The Kremlin noted that the sides agreed to hold a meeting in order to address, among other things, possible opportunities for arranging a Normandy summit.

Putin Intends To Multiply Cargo Traffic Along Northern Sea Route

Russia intends to multiply cargo traffic along the Northern Sea Route, with its role growing on the back of climate change, Vladimir Putin said on Thursday, speaking via a video link at the second United Nations Global Sustainable Transport Conference.

Russia "is successfully implementing transportation along the unique route - the Northern Sea Route," the head of state noted. "Its role goes up and up on the back of the climate change taking place, explosive industrial growth in the Asia-Pacific Region and the need to support the closest, the most cost efficient routes of goods delivery from the East to the West and in the reverse direction," Putin said.

"We intend to increase freight traffic along the Northern Sea Route many times over its entire length of 10,500 kilometres, build infrastructure facilities, including those that ensure reliable communications and navigation, and improve port facilities" the president added.

Real steps are taken to develop the Russian nuclear-powered icebreaker fleet, Putin said. "We invite all interested partners, including our Chinese friends, to more actively use the capabilities of the Northern Sea Route to build up trading operations with Europe," he added.

Putin Recognizes Development Of Integration In EAEU

Vladimir Putin recognizes the development and deepening of integration in the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), despite the difficulties related to the pandemic.

"Despite the well-known difficulties related to the coronavirus pandemic, our interaction on integration is continuing and it is becoming deeper," the Russian head of state said at the EAEU summit, which is being held on Thursday as a video conference.

"We are all interested in the further development of the Eurasian Economic Union, we work closely and achieve results in various fields, primarily in the economy and trade," the Russian leader noted. Putin added that "such an important joint project as the Strategic Directions for the Development of Economic Integration until 2025 is being successfully implemented." The project was approved in late 2020.

"Economic growth has resumed in almost all EAEU states," Putin stressed. In the first six months of 2021, Russia’s GDP grew by 4.8%, Putin said adding that during the same period, the industrial production of the entire European Union increased by 4.4% and agricultural output grew by 0.6%.

"In January-June, trade between EAEU member-states increased by almost a third, and the volume of foreign trade of the Eurasian Union with third countries - by a quarter," the Russian President noted. The member states of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) are Russia, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan.

Putin's Remarks At The Third Eurasian Women’s Forum

Women play an increasingly important role in the resolution of global issues, Vladimir Putin told the Third Eurasian Women’s Forum in St. Petersburg on Thursday.

"The modern dynamically changing world sets new tasks for the society, for the state. Undoubtedly, women play an increasingly more significant role in their resolution," Putin said.

Among such tasks, he listed the issues of stable economic development, the global climate agenda, the problems of ecology, environment, as well as the new approaches to education as a "life-long process" and the aspiration to build the social support system on more balanced and fair principles.

"Overcoming the consequences of the coronavirus pandemic became a global challenge. Worldwide, female doctors, medics went to the frontline of the fight against the pandemic, assumed the heaviest load. Millions of people across the world are grateful to them for their rescue," the president continued. He emphasized that women "with their heightened understanding of life’s values, compassion, mercy have always had a special mission in healthcare." "I am confident that it will remain the same in the future. Including in defining the further actions in the medical sphere taking into account the lessons of the pandemic," the head of state noted.

Putin: Neutralising Afghan's Threats Is Particular Importance For CIS Security

Neutralising potential threats emanating from Afghanistan is of particular importance for CIS security, Vladimir Putin said at a meeting with the chiefs of the CIS member countries’ security and intelligence agencies on Wednesday.

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"We are well aware of the fact that developments in that country may have a strong impact on the state of affairs in Central Asia, the South Caucasus and other regions," he added.

The situation in Afghanistan is quite challenging. After the withdrawal of US troops, power passed into the hands of the Taliban, who are setting their own rules and regulations. However, a number of ISIS-associated international terrorist groups continue to operate in that country. Militants with experience in waging war in Syria and Iraq are being drawn there. So, it is possible that terrorists might try to destabilise the situation in neighbouring countries, including the CIS countries, and go as far as starting to expand outrightly.

"In this regard, it is important to constantly monitor the situation on the Afghan border and to be ready to counteract the militants. To do so, it is important to coordinate the work of security agencies and, if necessary, conduct joint special operations, all the more so as you have a successful track record of working in this area, including as part of the CIS Anti-Terrorism Centre," Putin stressed.

Putin Warns Of Potential Attempts To Obstruct CIS Integration

Russian President Vladimir Putin does not rule out that the integration processes in the CIS may be hindered from outside.

"Integration processes are underway in the commonwealth. The amount and intensity of trade, investment, financial and transport flows are growing," the head of state stated at a meeting with the chiefs of the CIS member countries’ security and intelligence agencies on Wednesday.

"We should understand that this constructive work, our use of competitive advantages and the unification of potential for solving common problems induce unequivocal response, including the desire to hinder and trip [us] up," the Russian president warned.

Therefore, in his opinion, the CIS countries’ intelligence agencies "should, as before, make their contributions to the protection of the Commonwealth’s economic interests, to team up to enhance its competitiveness and further dynamic development, to protect the legal rights of entrepreneurs and companies."

Vladimir Putin Answers Headley Gamble's Questions On Sidelines Of Russian Energy Week

Improving the welfare of Russian citizens, attitude towards international alliances, refusal to settle in dollars. This and not only Vladimir Putin gave a detailed interview to the journalist of the CNBC TV channel at the Russian Energy Week. Hadley Gamble moderated the plenary session with the President and did not miss the opportunity to ask him questions after the event.

An interview with the Russian President on the sidelines of Russian Economic Week takes place practically on the go. the cameraman does not have time to adjust the camera, but CNBC reporter Hadley Gamble is already asking the first question, traditional for American journalists: who can replace Vladimir Putin as president?

“I prefer not to answer such questions, this is my traditional answer. there is still a lot of time before the next elections. Conversations on this topic are destabilizing the situation. The situation must be calm and stable so that all government bodies, all state structures work confidently and calmly look into the future. Yes, the Constitution allows me to do this, to run for the next term, but no decisions have been made on this score yet, ” Vladimir Putin said.

Hadley Gamble had already asked Vladimir Putin questions at the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week a few minutes earlier. An American journalist moderated a two-hour discussion on global energy: they talked about stagnation, inflation, military conflicts and global problems. However,  when the journalist asked Putin to identify the main problem for him, she received such an answer:

“For us, the most important problem and the most important task that we must solve is raising the incomes of the citizens of the country. This is our main, main task, and we are not going to solve it with simple linear methods. To do this, we must ensure the growth of economic development rates and changes in its quality. This is a long-term task. We are not going to act with populist methods, but it is on the basis of qualitative economic growth that we are going to solve the main social problems, including increasing the incomes of Russian citizens and solving the second very important the demographic problem for us, ” Putin noted.

A topic that the American journalist simply could not ignore is Russia's departure from the dollar. the Central Bank has already reduced its share in reserves, and settlements with partners are also increasingly being conducted in other currencies.

“It seems to me that the United States is making a very big mistake by using the dollar as a sanctions instrument. And they do this because they prevent payments in dollars for the sanctioned products. We have no other choice, we are simply forced to switch to settlements in other currencies. This is the first thing. And second, when other countries see what is happening, they themselves have anxiety that the dollar can be used in their relation to the same way. The result is that even the closest partners and allies of the United States in their reserves are reducing the share of the dollar, this is a statistical fact. In this regard, we can say that the United States is sawing the branch on which they sit, because this is the absolute competitive advantage of the dollar as a universal reserve world currency, they undermine it in this way, in the interests of the momentary political situation, "the Russian president said.

The friendship between Russia and China has long troubled the United States, so this question could not but be raised in an interview. Moreover, over the past month, the whole world has been discussing the creation of a new alliance between Australia, Great Britain and the United States, in fact, created to counter Chinese influence in the Indo-Pacific region.

Hadley Gamble: “Chinese President Xi Jinping calls you his best friend. are you concerned about what you see regarding AUKUS - an alliance of Australia, the US and the UK? Is this creating potential tensions and is it fraught with a new Cold War?"

Vladimir Putin: “I also consider President Xi Jinping to be my friend, we have been working together for many years and are achieving good results both in the field of political interaction and in the economic sphere. I believe that this benefits both the people of China and the people of Russia and balances, creates a certain stability in international affairs. The creation of some blocs, including the one you mentioned, AUKUS, undoubtedly undermines regional stability, because, in my opinion, it is good to be friends with each other, but to be friends against someone is this is bad. This undermines stability."

Hadley Gamble was also interested in Middle East issues. How does Russia interact with OPEC to stabilize the energy market?

“As for our efforts to stabilize the global energy market, yes, all this is happening in a rather tough regime: we argue with each other, defend our positions, but we find, until now, we have found balanced solutions acceptable to all parties. And our partners, although they are leaders in the production and sale of oil, still make plans for green energy. We are talking with them about the opportunity to invest funds, large resources in new technologies and new sources of energy, ”Vladimir Putin said.

At the end of the interview, the American reporter prepared another question that is traditional for Western journalists: "What about Mr. Navalny?"

Vladimir Putin: “The citizen you mentioned is in prison. Besides him, there are other people who have also violated Russian laws, and we are not going to put anyone in any exclusive conditions, including those who hiding behind political activities."

Already briefly, Vladimir Putin and Hadley Gamble discussed even cryptocurrencies. According to the Russian president, so far they are too unstable and this prevents them from being used for calculations. However, dollar inflation this year is also higher than usual. On the eve, US Congress, another decision was made to raise the government debt ceiling. And this, according to the Russian president, makes all participants in the global market be on the alert.

Putin Сalled ‘Politically Charged Drivel’ Claims Of Russia Weaponizing Energy

Vladimir Putin took a swipe at claims that Russia is weaponizing the energy industry, excoriating the allegations as groundless and politically-charged drivel, during a Russian Energy Week plenary session on Wednesday.

"As for the use of energy as some kind of weapon, this is politically-charged drivel, which has no grounds," Putin said.

Putin insisted that "Russia does not use any weapons whatsoever."

"Where are we using weapons? What conflicts are we involved in? And as far as the economy goes, that’s out of the question. Even during the toughest times of the Cold War, Russia regularly met its full contractual obligations for supplying gas to Europe on a permanent basis," he stressed.

"By the way, then the United States also fought this project - pipes in exchange for gas. But the leadership of Germany back then stood up for its rights and implemented this project. It [the project of gas supplies from Russia to Germany] is still effective and is actively involved in Europe’s energy balance".

Putin Reveals True Causes Of Europe's Energy Crisis

The analysis of the situation on the European gas market is substituted by empty political slogans, Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. He was speaking at the plenary session of the Russian Energy Week.

"It is no lesser but even bigger role that gas consumers (on the European gas market - TASS) play. I am going to tell a few things, this professional audience may take as obvious, conventional wisdom, but recently various responsible persons preferred to forget and conceal them and to substitute the analysis of the situation with empty political slogans," he said.

Touching upon the situation on the European gas market, the Russian leader noted that it does not look balanced and predictable.

"And the main reason here is that not everything on this market depends on producers," Putin said. The head of state noted that over the past ten years, the share of renewable energy sources in the European energy balance had increased dramatically.

"However, the main distinguishing feature of this sector is the inconstancy of electricity generation, large reserve capacities are needed. If serious pauses in generation of electricity occur, first of all due to the weather peculiarities, this reserve is simply not enough. This is what happened this year when due to a decline in the generation of wind power plants on the European market, there was a shortage of electricity. Prices for it jumped, which also became a trigger for the growth of gas prices on the spot market," the President noted.

Lavrov's Remarks At CICA Ministerial Meeting In Nur Sultan

Sergey Lavrov delivers remarks at the Ministerial Meeting of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA) on Tuesday in Kazakhstan's Nur-Sultan.

Despite the destructive and ruthless impact of the coronavirus pandemic we have been fighting for almost two years, Asia has managed to maintain a positive development momentum.

"Its strong response has confirmed that the region’s total accumulated anti-crisis potential and the shared dedication to find collective solutions give us strength to confront major challenges and overcome their consequences, Lavrov said.

The geopolitical configuration remains quite complicated in the region, holding back its transition to a comprehensive multilateral cooperation and integration paradigm.

"We can see deliberate attempts to wind up the situation, to undermine the existing mechanisms of interstate interaction, with narrow-format exclusive groups and Cold War- and containment policy-style military blocs playing a role," he noted.

NATO’s recent policies can be placed on a par with the aforementioned hurdles as after Afghanistan, the North Atlantic Alliance seeks to redeploy its forces to other zones in the region, such as Central, South or Southeast Asia, while also sending flows of Afghan refugees to those regions. The alliance seems to sidestep the question of its responsibility for the consequences of its 20 years of experiments there leaving it to the international community, primarily Afghanistan’s neighbours, to deal with the problems.

Also, Lavrov thanked for supporting Russia's proposal to include another important topic on the agenda - information security. CICA can make a significant contribution to the UN efforts to agree on reliable tools for protecting the digital environment and preventing digital crime.

Putin: Low Income Of People Is Main Enemy Of Russian Society

Low incomes of the population are the main enemy of the Russian society, Vladimir Putin said on Tuesday at the meeting with members of the State Duma, the lower house of the Russian parliament.

"Our country and thus all of us have many shared challenges. Our main enemy, the threat to the stable development, to the demographic future, is low incomes of our citizens, millions of our people," the head of state said.

"We need to form an integrated system to support families with children in coming years, starting from the time when a future mother is still waiting for the childbirth and right until the time when the child graduates from the school," the President said. "We will act step-by-step, gradually, supporting each step with unconditional financing possibilities," Putin added.

Putin Hosts Elected MPs In The Kremlin

Vladimir Putin hosts in the Grand Kremlin Palace’s St George Hall deputies of the Federal Assembly’s State Duma (or lower parliament house) of the eighth convocation.

The CPRF, A Just Russia – For Truth and the LDPR have confirmed their important role in the parliament. The New People, elected to the State Duma for the first time, has also formed its parliamentary party.

"All this proves that the political system of Russia is developing, meeting the changing requirements of society, and giving an opportunity for energetic and purposeful people to become politicians at the federal level," Putin said.

"You represent all regions, as well as various professional and social communities. Each parliamentary party has its own election programme. But I am confident that all of you are united by a striving to work in the interests of Russia, for the sake of successful future development, and for consolidating our traditional values as stipulated by the updated Constitution, and of course, to improve people’s well-being and quality of life," he added.

In conclusion, Vladimir Putin wished the parliamentarians successful work for the good of the Motherland. "Let me wish you success in serving Russia and our people. All the best!"

Putin, Pashinyan Discuss Karabakh In The Kremlin

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Armenia's Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan have begun talks in the Kremlin.

This is their fourth face-to-face meeting this year.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Tuesday Putin and Pashinyan would have a conversation and a working dinner.

It is expected that the talks will be centered on progress in the implementation of the joint statements by the leader of Russia, Armenia and Azerbaijan on Nagorno-Karabakh of November 9, 2020, and January 11, 2021. Also, the two sides will discuss further steps to strengthen stability and promote economic ties in the region. Putin and Pashinyan will touch upon crucial issues of bilateral relations and interaction on the platform of integration associations in the Eurasian space.

Brief Results Of Nuland's Visit To The Russian Foreign Ministry

Any US military presence in Central Asia is unacceptable for Russia. This was announced by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov after talks with US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland.

Special attention at the meeting, which took place in Moscow, was paid to the situation in Afghanistan. The main responsibility, as Sergey Ryabkov emphasized, rests with the United States and its allies.

Strategic stability was also discussed at the talks. The positions of the parties, as noted in the Russian Foreign Ministry, do not fit well together, but the conversation was substantive and businesslike. There was no press conference following the meeting. Nuland limited herself to just one phrase: "I am glad to return to Russia again, working on our bilateral relations."

Putin: Russia Protects Nature At The State Level

Russia guaranteed the protection of rare species of fauna and flora at the state level, Vladimir Putin said in his address to the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, on Tuesday.

"I would like to spotlight the fact that in September 2022, we are planning to host the second International Tiger Conservation Forum. This meeting will take place as part of the Eastern Economic Forum in Vladivostok," the Russian head of state announced in a video address to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity. "We expect that all states whose geography these rare predators’ habitat covers will participate in this event," the president noted.

Putin mentioned that Russia guaranteed the protection of rare species of fauna and flora at the state level. "And the steps being taken are yielding tangible results. Thus, the populations of the Central Asian and Far Eastern leopards, snow leopards, saiga antelopes, polar bears, bison, falcons and, of course, Siberian tigers have increased," the Russian leader said. "And we will continue taking appropriate steps, which includes coordination with our foreign partners," Putin concluded.

Putin, Merkel, Macron Stress Importance Of Normandy Format

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday spoke over the phone with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Emmanuel Macron, the Kremlin press service reported.

"The sides discussed in detail the disturbing situation around the stalling of the process of the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict. The three leaders noted the importance of the implementation of the 2015 Minsk agreements as the only settlement basis. They also stressed the importance of further coordination of Russia’s, Germany’s, and France’s efforts in the Normandy format," the Kremlin said.

Apart from that, Putin made "high-principled assessment of Kiev's policies of stubbornly dodging its obligations under the Minsk Accords and agreements of the previous Normandy-format summits, including the one in Paris (December 9, 2019)," it said.

The three leaders agreed to continue discussing a possibility of organizing a Normandy Four (Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine) summit. "Foreign ministers will look at the possible organization of a meeting in the Normandy format at their level. It was also agreed to continue to use corresponding channels to look at a possibility to organize a Normandy summit if it is expedient," it said.

"Bearing in mind the difficult situation in the settlement of the conflict in southeastern Ukraine, the leaders asked their political advisers and foreign ministries to intensify contacts in the Normandy format," the Kremlin said, adding that the leaders also discussed a number of other international issues, including counter-terrorism efforts on the African continent.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky said earlier in the day that he had had a telephone conversation with Macron and Merkel to discuss issues of the Donbass conflict settlement and preparations for a Normandy Four summit.

Putin’s previous conversation with Macron and Merkel took place in the videoconference format on March 30. The Russian president then expressed concern over Kiev’s destabilizing actions in Donbass.

Putin's Cough Scared Federation Council Speaker

On Monday, Vladimir Putin chaired a Security Council meeting on preparations for the CIS Summit, but earlier the Speaker of the Federal Council Valentina Matvienko expressed concern about the President's cough during a recent meeting. Putin reassured the Speaker, who was apparently more worried that the President would not be able to attend the annual international women's forum she hosts.

Putin's Remarks On Science And Technology Support For Agriculture Development

Agriculture is becoming a high-technology industry in the full sense of the word, Vladimir Putin said on Monday, at the meeting on science and technology support for the development of agriculture.

Many processes have been largely automated, and the use of digital solutions, mathematical modelling, artificial intelligence and big data are growing. Interdisciplinary specialties like bioinformatics, biophysics and biochemistry continue to be developed. This means that in the agrarian sector new knowledge and solutions are born at the confluence of various sciences. "As a matter of fact, similar processes are unfolding in all areas of knowledge, and agriculture is one of them," he added.

Putin noted the high performance of the domestic agro-industrial complex, which is the result of systemic changes in Russian agriculture.

"It has become very up to date, relying on advanced technologies and innovations," President stressed.

Lavrov Points To Risks Of Continuing Attacks Against UN Charter

Russia, just like a majority of members of the international community, finds very risky the continuing attacks against the UN Charter, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the plenary session of the jubilee forum of the Non-Aligned Movement on Monday.

Lavrov voiced the hope that the conference "will send a clear message to most countries of the world there is no alternative to building inter-state relations on the principles of equality."

"Russia, just like an overwhelming majority of members of the world community, finds the continuing attacks against the UN Charter destructive and dangerous," he said. "The same applies to attempts at replacing the UN-centric architecture by non-inclusive concepts, like a so-called rules-based world order, which, in fact relies on double standards and may plunge us into an era of bloc policies and division lines."

Lavrov stressed that the Non-Aligned Movement was capable of taking concerted action to successfully resist such attempts.

"Russia's effective cooperation with Non-Aligned Movement members on the UN General Assembly's platform is a clear sign we make similar approaches to many issues on the global agenda: from resistance to illegitimate unilateral sanctions to struggle against terrorism and the protection of human rights," Lavrov concluded. "we hope that our joint work and the level of mutual support will keep growing, particularly so, after Russia has been granted the status of an observer."

The Non-Aligned Movement incorporates countries that are opposed to participation in military-political blocs and press for the peaceful coexistence of peoples. At the jubilee forum timed for the organization's 60th anniversary a total of 105 countries are represented; 43 delegations are led by foreign ministers.

Russian Pacific Fleet Vessels Hold Missile Firings In Japan Sea

The Varyag missile cruiser belonging to the Pacific Fleet and the Admiral Tributs large anti-submarine ship held anti-aircraft missile firings in the Sea of Japan, the Fleet’s press office reported on Monday.

"The crews of the Fleet’s Guards Order of Nakhimov Missile Cruiser Flagship Varyag and the Admiral Tributs large anti-submarine warship held planned drills in the Sea of Japan, where air defense launches of the Fort, Klinok and Osa anti-aircraft missile systems against high-speed flying targets as part of the final inspection for the summer training period were carried out," the report says.

Target missiles launched from small missiles and anti-submarine ships were fired upon. "In total, 10 missile launches were carried out as part of practical actions," the press service reported. Twelve warships and support vessels of the Pacific Fleet were provided to the exercise, they carried out tasks to close the area of rocket firing.

The Varyag missile cruiser belongs to the Project 1164 class. The main armament of the cruiser comprises 16 anti-ship missiles of the P-1000 Vulkan complex with a range of at least 700 kilometers. The cruiser is protected from enemy planes, helicopters and missiles by the S-300F Fort and Osa-M anti-aircraft systems, as well as AK-630 caliber 30 mm six-barreled artillery mounts. The ships are equipped with two five-tube 533-mm caliber torpedo launchers, two rocket-propelled bomb launchers designed to fight enemy submarines, and a helicopter. The arsenal also contains an AK-130 artillery launcher with 130-mm caliber rapid-firing guns, the firing range is 23 km.

Lavrov Urges EU, US To Really Contribute To Solution Of Kosovo Problem

Sergey Lavrov called on European Union and the United States to make real efforts to resolve the Kosovo issue at a press conference in Belgrade on Sunday following talks with Aleksandar Vucic.

Russia remains invariably in favour of resolving this matter based solely on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and it be found as part of a direct dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and this final decision be submitted to the UN Security Council for approval.

Russia remains invariably in favour of resolving this matter based solely on UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and it be found as part of a direct dialogue between Belgrade and Pristina, and this final decision be submitted to the UN Security Council for approval. "President Putin has repeatedly underscored, and this remains our unwavering position, that we will accept any decision that suits Serbia and the Serbian people. of course, we are concerned by the provocation in northern Kosovo in late September. we appreciated the restraint and firmness of the Serbian leadership and personally President Vucic, "which made it possible to overcome this crisis and to put an end to the Kosovars’ provocative actions," Lavrov said.

"In our contacts with the European Union, we invariably talk about Brussels’ responsibility for the intermediary functions initiated by it, which the EU received by the resolution of the UN General Assembly. it is time to act upon the agreements that were reached long time ago in particular, back in 2013, on creating Serbian municipalities in Kosovo. conniving with the Kosovars’ attempts to “drag out” this decision, which is vital for the Serbian population of Kosovo, does not reflect well on the EU," he added.

Also, Russia presume that US will also use their influence - which is significant - on Pristina in order to ensure the normal course of the negotiating process and come to agreements that will be in line with UN Security Council Resolution 1244 and suit Serbia.

Sergey Lavrov exchanged views with President Vucic on the situation in the Balkans in general. "We operate on the premise that Serbia remains the most important factor of peace and stability in this region and its opinion should be taken into account in any negotiation format and discussions,"Minister noted.

Vucic Hopes Serbia Will Have Lowest Price For Russian Gas

Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic said on Sunday, after talks with Sergey Lavrov, he hopes his country will receive Russian gas at a maximally advantageous price.

"What kind of pressure is Russia exerting on us? It is us to exert pressure on Russia, asking it to give us gas at the most advantageous price. We are asking and using pressure. As for guarantees, I have a promise from [Russian Foreign Minister] Sergey [Lavrov] and [Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri] Borisov that they will speak with President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin and will do their best to offer the most advantageous price to us. I am telling you now: I know Putin and we will have the best price. I have not yet spoken with him, I only plan to do it, but we will have the lowest price. I know this man," he said after talks with visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

"I am thankful to our Russian friends. I asked Minister Lavrov, I asked Borisov, I asked President Putin, and I am not ashamed to say that, and I hope Serbia will have the lowest gas price in Europe. I make no secrete about it, my duty is to advocate the interests of my people. The crisis is much more serious than some may think. Gas prices will go up across entire Europe, everywhere," Vucic said.

"Luckily, we were bold enough to build a gas pipeline. It is good luck! If we had not built the gas pipeline with the Russian side, what would we do now? The only thing I could do then was to take a rope and hang myself here," he said.

"If we had not built the gas pipeline with the Russian side, what would we do now ? The only thing I could do then was to take a rope and hang myself here," Vucic stressed. Vucic said on Saturday that Serbia was in talks with Russia, seeking to keep the gas price at 270 US dollars per 1,000 cubic meters in the first six months of 2022.

Russian Deputy Prime Minister Yuri Borisov said at a meeting of the intergovernmental commission in Serbia on October 7 that he hoped a long-term gas contract with Serbia would be signed before the end of 2021.

Lavrov Having Meeting With Vucic in Belgrade

Visiting Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is having a meeting with Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic on Sunday.

The talks are being held at the presidential palace, where the Russian delegation came immediately after arriving in Belgrade.

At the beginning of the talks, Lavrov and Vucic welcomed each other on the background of the two countries’ flags and continued the meeting behind closed doors.

However, judging by the statements of both sides after the talks, they talked about the upcoming meeting between Vucic and Putin, about the Russian vaccine, about gas contracts and, of course, about the situation in Kosovo.

Putin Сongratulates And Thanks Russia's Farmers

The agricultural sector has become one of the flagships of the Russian economy and keeps developing actively, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a video address on the occasion of the Agriculture and Processing Industry Workers' Day, celebrated in Russia on the second Sunday of October.

"The Russian agrarian sector is developing actively and dynamically. Today, it is one of the flagships of our economy. Who would have imagined this just a few years ago? This success is a result of your effort in the first place," the president said in his address to agriculture sector workers.

In his words, advanced technologies are actively used by the Russian agricultural sector, and its products are competitive both domestically and internationally.

Lavrov: Europe Needs To Rethink The Causes Of Current Energy Crisis

Russia is ready to help Europe overcome the energy crisis, but it must understand the reasons that led to the current situation, as well as the need for reciprocal steps, Sergey Lavrov said on Friday.

"Gazprom is fulfilling all its obligations [to European countries] not only in full but even in excess," Lavrov said. "We are ready to help Europe overcome this crisis, but Europe must also recognize the need for reciprocal steps," the minister added.

Lavrov added that Washington is trying to sabotage Russian-EU energy cooperation. "The United States bluntly says that cooperation with Russia is contrary to the interests of Europe's energy security. They want to flat out drive a wedge between us in this area and to whittle down our interdependence," he stressed.

The top diplomat acknowledged Europe's dependence on Russian supplies. "But we also depend to a large extent on those who buy this gas," he added.

Lavrov Welcomes Young Diplomats To Russian Foreign Ministry's 'Family'

According to an annual tradition, Sergey Lavrov held a meeting with the best MGIMO alumni on their first day at the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

"I feel in my heart (I cannot put it otherwise) that you have joined a tightly-knit “home” that maintains continuity and always strives to provide mentorship in the best and bureaucracy-free sense of the word," Lavrov said.

"We are a family, which does not mean that we are not highly focused on our responsibilities," he added.

The minister noted that the newly arrived young diplomats will work at an important period in the history of Russia and the world.

'The situation in the world is not getting any simpler, which only adds excitement, to be honest. It makes us think creatively and keeps us mindful of the main goal of our foreign policy which is to ensure the most favourable external conditions for our country’s internal development. This is the main content of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation as approved by President Vladimir Putin in 2016. Time flies. We are now updating this strategic document. I have no doubt that everyone in their area of ​​work, in their respective departments, will contribute to forming common approaches and foreign policy strategies at the present stage," Lavrov stressed.

How Did Putin Spend His 69th Birthday?

On Friday, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said by phone that Vladimir Putin spent his 69th birthday dealing with work issues.