Briefing by Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry Information and Press Department Alexey Zaitsev, Moscow, July 6, 2022
6 July 2022 19:02
1420-06-07-2022
Sergey Lavrov to attend G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting
As we already informed you, on July 7 and 8 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will attend a G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting in Bali in the Republic of Indonesia, the country that holds the G20 Presidency.
The discussion will focus on important issues related to strengthening the foundation of multilateralism in the context of a polycentric international order, as well as efforts to enhance food and energy security.
The Foreign Minister will have a busy schedule of bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the meeting.
Sergey Lavrov to attend the opening ceremony for the Embassy of the Donetsk People's Republic in the Russian Federation
On July 12, the Foreign Minister will take part in the opening ceremony for the Embassy of the Donetsk People's Republic in Russia at 13 Grokholsky Pereulok, Building 2, Moscow. Top government officials of the Russian Federation, as well as members of the Russian Orthodox Church, the diplomatic corps, the Russian civic and political circles, cultural figures and members of the business community were invited to the state reception.
This event will be an important show of solidarity with and support for the heroic efforts of this young republic in its struggle for freedom, independence and the right to decide its own fate.
Update on Ukraine
The special military operation in Ukraine continues. Russian troops, in conjunction with the self-defence forces from the Donetsk and Lugansk republics, are on a mission to demilitarise and denazify Ukraine, to liberate Donbass and to eliminate threats to Russia coming from that country. Many towns have been liberated from Ukrainian neo-Nazis and foreign mercenaries and are returning to peaceful life.
On July 3, the allied forces established full control over Lisichansk and its suburbs, thus fully liberating the LPR from the neo-Nazis. Relief efforts are underway to deal with the aftermath of the hostilities, as water and energy supplies and economic activity are being restored and transport service is being resumed. Kindergartens, outpatient clinics and hospitals will reopen soon.
Mariupol is being rebuilt at a fast pace. Military construction specialists from the Russian Defence Ministry are taking part in this effort. Residential buildings and civil infrastructure facilities are being built fast. Military builders are saying over 1,000 flats will be built before the end of the year.
Kiev is trying in every way to obstruct the efforts to restore peaceful life in the liberated territories and to intimidate their residents. The intimidation methods remain the same and include massive MLRS and large-caliber artillery strikes on urban and rural areas. Reports about the resumption of regular road and rail passenger traffic between Melitopol and Crimea were apparently taken by the Ukrainian command as a signal to shell that city in the Zaporozhye region. Dozens of long-range missiles were fired at it during the night of July 1. The coordinated actions of the air defence forces helped avoid tragic consequences.
Donetsk and its suburbs came under an even larger and more brutal strike on July 4. The Armed Forces of Ukraine targeted children's and medical institutions, grocery stores, farmer's markets, factories and residential buildings. In all, about 500 mines and shells were fired, most of them of NATO calibre. The ammunition used in the attacks and the artillery mounts came to Ukraine from the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Australia. Unfortunately, tragic loss of life ensued. The shelling continued into July 5.
The death of civilians, including children, does not seem to stop anyone in the West. On July 1, that is, literally just before the barbaric bombings of the DPR, Washington announced a new round of military assistance to Ukraine for buying ammunition for MLRS and other types of long-range artillery. In all, over the past two weeks, the United States has confirmed its plans to spend more than $2.3 billion on these needs. In turn, in a telephone conversation with President Zelensky, the British prime minister promised to send 10 new self-propelled gun mounts to the Armed Forces of Ukraine and loitering munitions soon.
The West is not going to abandon its strategy of further escalating the situation in Ukraine which was confirmed during the NATO summit on June 28-29 which decided to provide a reinforced support package for Kiev. The facts show what they mean by that. Massive arms supplies are heading to Ukraine in an uninterrupted flow. More than 28,000 tonnes of military cargo have already been delivered. The European allies of Ukraine are actively encouraging the Kiev regime's militaristic aspirations. Their donor conferences that are formally designed to help raise funds for the reconstruction of the country are intended to fulfill this goal. In fact, we are talking about raising funds for pressing on with hostilities against Russia. This was the case in late February and early May, when Great Britain and then Poland took action to jumpstart Western countries' efforts to fund arms supplies and provide Ukraine with other kinds of military assistance. Apparently, the latest donor forum in Lugano, Switzerland, held on July 4-5 was no exception. Kiev's foreign curators have again expressed their willingness to shell out some money and showed no sign of seeking a peaceful settlement.
All of this goes to show the importance of demilitarising Ukraine and liberating it from neo-Nazis who continue to terrorise the people of Donbass and to generate threats to Russia's security. The special military operation is aimed at fulfilling these goals.
Update on the Zhibek Zholy Russian cargo ship
We noted articles in several media sources about the alleged arrest of the Russian-flagged Zhibek Zholy vessel in the port of Karasu, Turkey. In this context, we would like to say the following.
According to the information from the Russian Embassy in Turkey, the vessel is currently in the roadstead of the port of Karasu and is undergoing standard procedures, including phytosanitary control, following which the Turkish authorities will decide whether to allow it to enter the port or refuse entry. Turkey has not detained or arrested the cargo ship.
Foreign military assistance to Moldova
We have repeatedly expressed concern about the West's efforts to involve Moldova in closer cooperation in the military and military-technical spheres, for which the mechanisms of the Common Security and Defence Policy of the EU and NATO are being used. Unfortunately, such actions continue.
On June 29, "new measures to step up tailored political and practical support to partners," including the Republic of Moldova, were announced in the declaration of the NATO Madrid Summit.
On June 30, the EU Council decided to allocate 40 million euros from the Europe Peace Foundation to cover expenses associated with the provision of non-lethal military equipment to Moldova for logistics, mobility, command and control, cyber-defence, unmanned aerial reconnaissance, and tactical communications units, as well as for personnel training. At the same time, the corresponding list was compiled considering the wishes of the Moldovan leadership.
It is noteworthy that the current tranche - together with the 7 million euros provided by the abovementioned fund in December 2021 - is actually equal to Moldova's annual military budget.
Ensuring security is the internal affair of every state, but it is doubtful that such assistance, which looks more like territorial exploration, is in the interest of Moldova. The supply of NATO weapons to the Republic of Moldova is undermining its neutral status, and will hardly help strengthen the country's security, or create a favourable atmosphere for progress in the talks on a Transnistrian settlement.
Once again, we are calling the Moldovan side to approach the West's military assistance prudently, because historical experience shows that it pursues goals that are very far from maintaining peace and stability.
The Australian court rules against our compatriot Semion Boykov
On June 30, the Burnwood district court in Sydney handed down a sentence to Trans-Baikal Cossack ataman Semion Boykov. The court sentenced him to 10 months in prison. He was charged with violating a court order not to disclose confidential information. This is because in one of his speeches at an election rally to support independent politicians, Boykov cited the fact that the local authorities imposed a symbolic measure of restraint on a person accused of child molestation and also posted this speech on his YouTube channel with over 156,000 subscribers.
Even though the defendant pled guilty, cooperated with investigators and removed information from the public space, the court's sentence turned out to be unjustifiably harsh, in fact, the maximum sentence. Without a doubt, our compatriot's social activity, which for a long time has run counter to official Canberra's Russophobic policy, were the reason. A descendant of Trans-Baikal Cossacks, Boykov gained popularity by speaking out against excessive Covid-19 restrictions and sharply criticising the dominance of "systemic" parties in Australia. Not only does he openly support the special military operation conducted by the Russian Armed Forces, but he also organised several rallies in support of it outside the Russian Federation Consulate General in Sydney. Using his own resources on social media, he spread objective information about Donbass.
The importance of Boykov's media activity can be seen in the fact that after his arrest, Australian citizens, who make up the bulk of his audience, held a series of protests outside the Russian consular office pushing for the activist to be released.
Once again, it only remains to express surprise at the undisguised hypocrisy of today's rules, where someone who is not a pedophile, but a person who is not afraid to openly condemn a true criminal, finds himself in the dock. The tough treatment of our compatriot (the refusal to release him on bail until the court sentencing and holding him in solitary confinement) shows that the Australian authorities want to discourage him and his potential followers from further civil (in this case, pro-Russian) activities.
We see this story as yet further evidence of double standards and bias towards people who use their right to freely express their views that do not coincide with the anti-Russia mainstream in Australia.
We join in the demands of right-headed Australians and compatriots to stop persecuting Semion Boykov.
The decisions of the ECOWAS summit in Ghana
On July 3, the 61st summit of the Economic Community of West African States ended in Accra. The forum's agenda included items that were critically important to Africans such as the situation in Burkina Faso, the Republic of Guinea and the Republic of Mali, as well as the prospects for aligning the community's relations with these states in the future.
We praise the resolutions adopted at the summit of this high-standing African organisation, whose leaders demonstrated wisdom and high responsibility for the peaceful and successful completion of the transition period in Mali. We are convinced that the decision taken by ECOWAS to lift most of the economic and financial sanctions imposed six months ago on the Malian authorities will allow them to focus more closely on achieving their main goal, which is complete liberation of the country from illegal groups, the elimination of the terrorist threat and preparations for general elections within the timeframe that was agreed upon with the Community.
At the same time, we note the positive nature of the steps taken by Ouagadougou, Conakry and Bamako that are aimed at ensuring security and organising a broad national dialogue in the interest of returning to a civilian form of government in these countries within a reasonable amount of time.
Elena Obraztsova International Competition of Young Opera Singers
On July 3, 2022, St Petersburg hosted the opening ceremony of the 9th Elena Obraztsova International Competition of Young Opera Singers. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov sent a message of greetings to the organisers and participants of the event.
A new horizon of opportunities will open up for the foreign competitors who will be vying for awards in this prestigious competition where young Russian and foreign vocalists invariably take an interest. In all, 193 young singers from different countries, including Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Australia and Estonia, have been selected for the competition. Russia, Austria, Serbia and the United States are represented in the jury. The competition will run through July 8.
We Are Together: #MYVMESTE International Award
This year, the theme of the #MYVMESTE International Award international track is "Social change through volunteering". Non-profit and civic organisations, businesses, volunteers and unregistered associations of pro-active citizens are invited to take part in the event.
Applicants and award nominees can register at https://wearetogetherprize.com/ Applications will be accepted through August 15.
Awards will be given in three categories:
- The Environment and Sustainable Development
- Medicine and Healthy Lifestyle
- Equal Opportunities and Social Justice
The #MYVMESTE competition and its international track bring together compassionate people from different parts of the world as they seek to do good and help those who find themselves in a difficult situation. We expect that, like last year, the international jury will have a challenging but interesting time deciding on the best projects from the many entries submitted for the competition.
The ceremony to award the winners - they will be given grants to carry out their initiatives - will be held as part of the #MYVMESTE International Civic Involvement Forum, which will take place in Moscow on December 2-5.
The 2nd Young Russian Language Philologists from the Balkans Seminar
On September 7-10, a Balkan country will host the 2nd Young Russian Language Philologists from the Balkans Seminar organized with support from the Russian Ministry of Education and Science.
Thirty winners from a competition to be held by the Pushkin Russian Language Institute will be invited to take part in the seminar. Applications will be accepted through July 24. The competition organisers invite Russian language students, postgraduates, university graduates, teachers and students between the ages of 18 and 35 from Albania, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Greece, Italy, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Romania, Serbia, Slovenia and Turkey, as well as Russian nationals living in the Balkan countries to submit their work.
For more details visit: http://balkans.pushkin.institute/seminar.
The 12th International Industrial Trade Fair INNOPROM 2022
The 12th International Industrial Trade Fair INNOPROM 2022 opened in Yekaterinburg on July 4, 2022. The event is themed Industrial Transition: From Challenges to New Opportunities.
We are delighted to note that, despite the unprecedented pressure of sanctions on Russia, the event has attracted numerous foreign guests. INNOPROM 2022 involves official delegations from about 30 countries in the EU, the CIS, Asia and Africa. This is comparable to the figures for 2021.
Kazakhstan became a partner country for the first time in 2022. Over 200 Kazakhstani companies are displaying their goods at the exhibition, and Prime Minister of the Republic of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov headed the official delegation.
Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin spoke at the opening ceremony on the first day of the exhibition.
Answers to media questions:
Question: The US Ambassador to China has urged China to stop broadcasting Russian propaganda. Is this an attempt to dictate Beijing's foreign policy course?
Alexey Zaitsev: Official US representatives regularly criticise Beijing in the context of its expanding interaction with Moscow. They are openly threatening to punish China for cooperating with Russian economic operators in circumvention of illegitimate anti-Russia sanctions, imposed by Washington and its allies. They are exerting serious pressure on China, and this pressure often assumes brazen forms. It appears that those pressuring China are forgetting that they are speaking with one of the modern world's great powers.
These advances are a graphic manifestation of Washington's more active attempts to demolish strategic partnership between Moscow and Beijing. We would like to note that interaction between our states has reached an unprecedentedly high level, and it is successfully passing an endurance test. These US tactics are doomed to failure. Relations with third-party countries, including those with the United States, have no serious impact on the expanding cooperation between Russia and the People's Republic of China that hinges on coinciding root interests and profound mutual trust. Consequently, this cooperation remains unaffected by time-serving external changes. This concept has been repeatedly confirmed in the past few years. There is no alternative to strengthening bilateral cooperation still further in conditions of new global realities.
At the same time, we continue to maintain a full-scale political dialogue with China, and we are filling it with new content. We effectively coordinate our efforts on the international scene, and we compile interaction formats that will make it possible to adapt to global changes.
Question: After the telephone conversation between the presidents of Russia and France was made public and Moscow did not congratulate the US on Independence Day, are there any prospects for improving relations between the two countries?
Alexey Zaitsev: Naturally, the publication by the French media of parts of the telephone conversation between the presidents Vladimir Putin and Emmanuel Macron of February 20, 2022, is perplexing. Unfortunately, it is not the first such case where the details of a confidential conversation between the leaders of two countries have been made public. We consider it unacceptable and unethical to give publicity to such sensitive information. In our opinion, it does not correspond to the generally accepted diplomatic practice of holding contacts at the highest level.
The prospects for the future development of bilateral relations will to a large extent depend on how far France will be able to distance itself from the forced course of confrontation with Russia and understand its own true national interests in security, the economy, culture and social development. It is important to know whether President Emmanuel Macron's repeated statements on the need to build a new architecture of European security with the participation of Russia will be implemented in practice. For its part, Russia, unlike the collective West, is not building another Iron Curtain and remains open to mutually respectful interstate cooperation. In this context, we are not refusing to interact with France.
As for congratulating the US President on Independence Day and prospects for relations with Washington, the Russian Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov has already commented on that. I want to reiterate that we are open to dialogue both with the US and France, but it is only possible to develop it on the basis of mutual respect and equality.
Question: Japan has recently requested an explanation from the Russian party regarding the executive order on Sakhalin-2. Has Russia received this request from Tokyo? When and how will Moscow respond?
Alexey Zaitsev: We have not received any requests so it is too soon to comment on this.
Question: Finland and Sweden have signed protocols on joining NATO. How will this affect regional security in Europe?
Alexey Zaitsev: The signing of protocols on NATO membership by Finland and Sweden is yet another step towards a political and military escalation in Europe. Helsinki and Stockholm should understand that their joining the North Atlantic bloc will aggravate the situation in the Baltic region and the Arctic, which after a new wave of NATO expansion, could transform militarily calm regions of Europe into a zone of a dangerous confrontation. The opportunities for peaceful cooperation that are so in demand in this part of the world will be significantly limited.
If Finland and Sweden believe that they will be able to preserve their sovereignty when making military decisions, they are horribly mistaken. By joining the alliance, Helsinki and Stockholm become an object of coalitional planning and will be forced to completely obey the orders of NATO-aligned Brussels, or, to be more exact, of Washington which once again showed who was boss at the recent NATO summit in Madrid on June 28-30, 2022. By the way, even before gaining full-fledged NATO membership, North European states have already committed themselves to altering their national legislation and stances on certain issues under the external pressure.
It is sad to see how two independent states, whose voices had always been heard and who made an important contribution to the creation of the important elements of military security after the Cold War, have agreed to share the lot of a NATO's frontline area, and have in fact, permitted themselves to get involved in another player's geopolitical game against Russia. While preparing to join NATO, Helsinki and Stockholm should understand the consequences: any measures taken by these states to create a threat to the security of our country will inevitably be met with a response from the Russian side.
Question: G20 foreign ministers are set to meet soon. What does Russia expect from this meeting? What issues of the meeting's agenda are most topical for Moscow?
Alexey Zaitsev: On July 7-8, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will head a Russian delegation at an in-person G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting on Bali. During its current G20 Presidency, Indonesia has decided that the discussion should prioritise multilateral issues, as well as energy and food security. We appreciate Jakarta's attention to these matters and hope to make our own weighty contribution to making headway in these directions during preparations for the G20 Summit, scheduled for November 15-16, 2022.
Russia fully shares Indonesia's line to facilitate multilateral approaches. We intend to uphold the principles of a multipolar world, and the development of multilateral mechanisms for democratising the system of global financial and economic governance. We will also do this at the upcoming event on Bali. We believe that the Western-imposed confrontation and the logic of rivalry between powers have no future, and we advocate a unifying agenda in international affairs. We are happy that Russia's partners from among countries with emerging markets actively support our position.
We agree with Indonesia's Presidency that access to food and energy is becoming a global problem. This dangerous trend is not something isolated, and it is determined by economic miscalculations of G7 states that have led to inflation and an investment slump. In turn, Russia helps to strengthen food and energy security by conscientiously fulfilling its contractual obligations.
We attach great significance to constructive agreements on these matters at the G20 Foreign Ministers Meeting and are ready to take the most active part in elaborating joint decisions.
Question: In June, following consultations with the European Commission, Lithuanian authorities banned the transit of goods, covered by sanctions, to Russia's Kaliningrad Region. Later, Germany disagreed with this Lithuanian restriction. Can you comment on the actions of the EU member countries?
Alexey Zaitsev: We have repeatedly commented on this subject at various levels, including at the June 29, 2022 briefing by the Foreign Ministry's Spokeswoman.
Presidential Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov also recently discussed this matter and emphasised its importance as well as of the relevant work done in this direction.
Question: The Russian media reported earlier that Moscow had helped Baku and Yerevan to agree on a motorway in the Zangezur corridor. As is well-known, this is a pivotal question for the two parties on the way to concluding a peace treaty. Has there been any progress on this issue? If so, then what compromises did the two parties make to reach a consensus on the construction of this route?
Alexey Zaitsev: The work is continuing within the Trilateral Working Group on unblocking all economic and transport ties in the South Caucasus under the co-chairmanship of the prime ministers of Russia, Azerbaijan and Armenia. Following the working group's 10th meeting in Moscow on June 3, as well as contacts between the co-chairs on the sidelines of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, some progress has been made. It has become possible to align the positions of the parties on various aspects of restoring transport communications. The working group is discussing the launch of railway and road services in the region in the interests of Azerbaijan, Armenia and their neighbours.
The co-chairs will inform the media when there are concrete agreements.
Question: Russia has repeatedly spoken about the suspension of the activity of the OSCE Minsk Group due to the US and France's refusal to work in this format. Nevertheless, the American party has replaced the co-chair of the group, who, according to some reports, will continue to work. At the same time, Washington said that the Russian intermediary did not accept the US's invitation to discuss Karabakh. Does this mean that the party is willing to restore the activity of this format of conflict settlement? What does Moscow think about such initiatives?
Alexey Zaitsev: Our stance was explained at the briefing of the Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman of June 22, 2022.There is nothing I can add to it.
Question: On June 30 in Khimki, the trial began of American basketball player Brittney Griner who is accused of possession and smuggling of cannabis. Before the hearings, the press published information about a possible exchange of Griner for a Russian national detained in the US. The US Ambassador to Russia John J. Sullivan said in an interview with the Voice of America that the attention of the American diplomatic mission will focus on the Griner case. The Spokesperson for the United States Department of State Ned Price said the same. Can the Foreign Ministry confirm that the contacts between the Russian Foreign Ministry and the US Department of State are continuing on the exchange of the detained? Should we expect news about other exchanges of people detained in Russia and the US?
Alexey Zaitsev: Basketball player Brittney Griner, arrested at Sheremetyevo Airport upon her arrival from New York, is accused of illegal trafficking and possession of cannabis oil, which is a narcotic. It is a serious violation confirmed by indisputable evidence and punishable with a prison sentence of up to 10 years in accordance with paragraph (с) of Article 229.1 of the Russian Criminal Code.
The attempts to imply that the US citizen was detained illegally do not stand up to scrutiny. The law was violated and the speculation about the "innocent" habit of Brittney Griner, which is, by the way, punishable in some US states, are improper. The court will decide on a verdict. There is no reason why Ms Griner cannot appeal in accord with the procedure, or ask for a pardon.
Question: What can you say about the position of NATO that wants to retain the 1997 Russia-NATO Founding Act for the time being? What significance does this document have in current conditions?
Alexey Zaitsev: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has already commented on this subject at a joint news conference following talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Belarus Vladimir Makei on June 30, 2022.
I can only repeat that Russia did not launch the procedure of cancelling the Russia-NATO Founding Act. Legally speaking, this document continues to exist. On the other hand, the actions of some NATO countries have seriously discredited the Founding Act.
Question: What tasks should the Federal Agency for the Commonwealth of Independent States, Compatriots Living Abroad, and International Humanitarian Cooperation (Rossotrudnichestvo) accomplish with regard to relations with the Lugansk People's Republic, the Donetsk People's Republic and other liberated Ukrainian territories?
Alexey Zaitsev: I suggest that you address this question to Rossotrudnichestvo directly.
Question: When will the Russian side formulate and voice its response to the expulsion of Russian diplomats from Bulgaria? Are there plans to shut down the Russian Embassy in Sofia and the Bulgarian Embassy in Moscow? Russian Ambassador to Bulgaria Eleonora Mitrofanova has mentioned this.
Alexey Zaitsev: We are still drafting retaliatory measures, and we will certainly implement them.
Question: There are rumours about the possible introduction of exit visas among compatriots wishing to visit Russia or to come back. They say that Russia might revert to practices of the early 1990s and restrict exit from the country. Can you comment on this?
Alexey Zaitsev: Article 27.2 of the Russian Constitution guarantees the right to freely leave the territory of the Russian Federation. It is only possible to temporarily restrict this right on legal grounds, as stipulated in Article 15 of Federal Law No. 114-FZ (August 15, 1996) Procedure for Exiting and Entering the Russian Federation. These restrictions apply to, for example, travellers who are suspects or defendants under the criminal procedures legislation of the Russian Federation, or cases involving the enforcement of court verdicts, shirking the fulfilment of obligations under court verdicts, and people who have been declared bankrupt.
There are no plans to extend the current list of legal grounds for temporarily restricting the right of citizens to exit the Russian Federation or to introduce any exit visas.
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