MARIA ZAKHAROVA
G20 diplomats, including from China and Russia, face deep rifts as they prepare to meet in Atlanta
Top diplomats from the G20 nations are convening in Atlanta to discuss pressing global issues. Key topics include regional conflicts and trade tensions affecting international security. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio aims to facilitate cooperation among member countries. However, deep divisions are evident, especially regarding military actions and the Ukraine situation. This meeting serves as a precursor to the upcoming G20 summit hosted by President Trump.
Moscow accuses Japan of using journalists for espionage
Russia has accused Japan of using journalists for espionage following the arrest of Japanese reporter Yuki Imai. The Russian authorities claim Imai was conducting espionage activities on Russian territory, a charge Japan denies. Japan's foreign ministry is taking steps to secure Imai's release and has summoned the Russian ambassador for a protest. Meanwhile, Japan emphasises that it does not engage in espionage activities within Russia.
Russia accuses Europe of seeking to thwart Ukraine talks
Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Europe of obstructing peace negotiations related to the Ukraine conflict. He claimed that Moscow's military objectives would ultimately be achieved despite international opposition. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul called for Russia to de-escalate its aggressive actions against Germany and NATO. Both foreign ministers discussed recent tensions, including alleged Russian sabotage activities. Lavrov also expressed Russia's willingness to stabilize the Gulf region amidst ongoing conflicts.
Russia says it could strike UK military targets in response to Kyiv's use of British missiles
Russia has sent a clear and stern message regarding potential military strikes targeting British forces, following Ukraine's use of British cruise missiles in their operations. Moscow asserted that Britain is dangerously close to becoming complicit in terrorism. Additionally, France has received warnings for supplying vital missile technology to Ukraine, indicating the rising complexities of the ongoing conflict and its potential expansion.
Russia seeks explanation from US and Turkey over reports of possible arms transfer
Such a transfer would cause "serious harm ... to our bilateral relations with Washington and Ankara," spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said in a statement.
Russia dismisses Black Sea ceasefire, citing no grounds for 'half-measures' amid escalating attacks
Russia dismissed a ceasefire proposal for the Black Sea, claiming no foundation for temporary measures. Moscow accused Ukraine of perpetrating terrorism against maritime operations, further inflaming tensions in the region. Turkey had suggested a moratorium on military actions, while Ukraine proposed a suspension of assaults on civilian structures. Russia criticised the earlier grain deal as one-sided and impractical.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to visit India next month
During his visit on May 14-15, Lavrov will also hold a bilateral meeting with External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said during a briefing.
Russia says US attacked Iran on false pretext, condemns call for Iranians to seize power
Russia accused the United States of fabricating an Iranian threat as a pretext for regime change, calling U.S. calls for Iranians to seize power cynical and inhumane. Moscow stated that Washington used negotiations with Iran as a cover for its long-held plan to violently overthrow the sovereign state's constitutional order.
Russia reacts to US oil sanctions, calls them 'extremely' counterproductive
Russian goals in Ukraine remain unchanged, and the root causes of the conflict need to be resolved, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters in Moscow.
Maria Zakharova and Karoline Leavitt: The Russian vs American battle of narratives through two powerful spokespersons
Maria Zakharova and Karoline Leavitt, as spokespersons for Russia and the United States, embody the contrasting narratives of their nations. Zakharova employs confrontational rhetoric to assert Russian strength, while Leavitt emphasizes diplomatic engagement and coalition-building. Both navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving media landscape, shaping public opinion and influencing policy in a global geopolitical rivalry.
Russia says chance of peace in Ukraine would be delayed if West gives Kyiv more Patriot missiles
Maria Zakharova, the Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman, warned that continued Western arms supplies to Kyiv would diminish prospects for a peaceful resolution in Ukraine. Her statement followed reports of discussions among Ukraine's allies to provide additional Patriot air defense systems before the upcoming NATO summit. President Zelenskiy has expressed Ukraine's urgent need for these systems to counter Russian ballistic missiles.
Russia says Trump's tariffs show US disregard for international trade 'norms'
"It seems to me that the White House's latest tariff decision, which goes against or is contrary to (and) violates fundamental WTO rules, demonstrates that Washington no longer considers itself bound by the norms of international trade law," Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
Russia mocks and teases Zelensky, says it's a miracle that Donald Trump and JD Vance didn't punch the Ukrainian president
Russia’s Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova mocked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's tense meeting with US President Donald Trump. Zakharova commented on the restraint shown by Trump and Vice President JD Vance during the confrontation. The meeting ended abruptly with Zelensky being asked to leave the White House, leading to a cancelled lunch and unscheduled departure.
Russian spokeswoman told during briefing not to comment on missile strike reports, video shows
During a live briefing, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova received a phone call instructing her not to comment on reports of Russia firing a ballistic missile at a Ukrainian rocket company in Dnipro. While Kyiv claimed the attack involved an intercontinental ballistic missile, Russia remained silent on the matter.
Russia accuses US of stoking tensions in the Arctic
In a report earlier this month, the Pentagon said that Russia and China were increasingly collaborating in the Arctic, noting that Russia has reopened hundreds of Soviet-era military sites there while China is eyeing mineral resources and new shipping routes. The Kremlin said on Tuesday that some of the Pentagon report's contents had a confrontational flavour.
Russia says US 'deep state', media hid Joe Biden's condition from public
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told reporters that said those who wanted to portray Biden as competent had only worsened the situation.
Moscow warns of retaliation if income from its assets is seized
Leaders of the G7 agreed at a summit in Italy last week to use interest from Russian assets frozen in the West to provide a $50 billion loan to Ukraine. Russia says the action is illegal and will rebound against the West by undermining confidence in the global financial system.
Moscow says US to blame for civilian deaths in Russia from rockets it supplied to Ukraine
Russia accused Ukraine of using US-supplied HIMARS rockets to kill women and children in the Belgorod region, blaming Washington for the deaths. Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova claimed the attacks occurred after the US permitted Ukraine to fire these weapons into Russian territory. She asserted that fragments of the rockets would serve as proof. Reuters could not verify the claim, and neither Ukraine nor the US commented immediately. Zakharova provided no images of rocket fragments or details on casualties.
Russia says it will target French troops if they are sent to Ukraine
Russia issued a stark warning to France, stating that if President Macron were to send troops to Ukraine, they would be considered legitimate targets by the Russian military. This comes after Macron's remarks in February, where he didn't rule out the deployment of ground troops in Ukraine. Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova emphasized that any French presence in the conflict zone would make them targets. Russia's announcement of practicing the deployment of tactical nuclear weapons follows perceived threats from France, Britain, and the United States.
Russia threatens West with severe response if its assets are touched
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Russia would never cede territories seized from Ukraine in exchange for the return of frozen assets, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said in a separate comment that there was still a lot of Western money in Russia which could be targeted by Moscow's counter-measures.
Moscow says US aid to Ukraine, Israel, Taiwan will 'exacerbate global crises'
Earlier Saturday, Russia's presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the decision to provide aid to Ukraine "will further enrich the United States of America and ruin Ukraine even more, by killing even more Ukrainians because of the Kyiv regime," state news agency TASS reported. Lawmakers in the US House of Representatives passed legislation in a rare Saturday session that provides aid to Ukraine and Israel, bolsters Taiwan while also threatening a ban on TikTok if it fails to divest from Beijing.
Russia says there is no problem with payment for its oil shipments to India
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova assured that Russian oil shipments to India are progressing smoothly without any payment issues.
Russia says NATO, at 75, has returned to Cold War mindset
Russia has accused NATO of reverting to a Cold War mindset as the alliance celebrates its 75th anniversary. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova stated that NATO's actions reflect a return to Cold War dynamics, despite Russia's vision of a multipolar world. She criticized NATO's focus, saying it contradicts Moscow's goal of ending U.S. dominance. President Vladimir Putin's military operation in Ukraine in 2022 was launched to prevent NATO expansion, but it has strengthened the alliance, with Finland and Sweden joining as members.
Russia warns the West: We will be very tough if you 'steal' our assets
Russia has warned the West that Moscow would respond very toughly if the US and EU seize hundreds of billions of dollars worth of Russian assets. This comes after the US and its allies blocked around $300 billion of sovereign Russian assets in the West in response to Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Russia vows to punish Ukraine for attack on civilian tanker near Crimean Bridge
Russia has vowed to retaliate against Ukraine's alleged use of a sea drone to attack a civilian tanker near the Kerch Strait. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova called the attack a "terrorist act" which "threatened the lives of the crew and risks a large-scale environmental disaster".
Russia calls on NATO to discuss Ukraine nuclear plant at summit
Russia has called on NATO leaders to discuss the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant at their summit this week. According to Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Ukraine has caused "systematic infliction of damage" to the plant, and thus, the "NATO summit's key attention should be devoted to it." The plant has been accused of potential threats of an attack from both Russia and Ukraine.
Russia says does not plan nuclear escalation, but others should not test its patience
Russia does not intend to take the path of nuclear escalation in its standoff with the West over Ukraine but others should not test its patience, Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Thursday.
Russia accuses Ukraine of firing on nuclear plant
Foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Kyiv of seeking to create "conditions for a nuclear disaster, not only on its territory, but throughout Europe."
Russia blocks BBC website, vows more retaliatory media sanctions
"I think this is only the beginning of retaliatory measures to the information war unleashed by the West against Russia," foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said on Telegram. Roskomnadzor listed the BBC News website as blocked in Russia.
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