Norway has replaced Russia as the biggest gas supplier of Europe, said the EU Commissioner Kadri Simson, as she was addressing a committee meeting and a press conference in the European Parliament, Trend reports via the European Commission.

“Since September 2022, Russian gas is about 8 percent of all pipeline gas imported in the EU. Pipeline gas imports from Russia amounted 61 bcm last year. The first gas supplier to Europe is no longer Russia. It is Norway,” she said.

Simson pointed out that the doubts about Europe’s inability to import enough liquified natural gas (LNG) to replace Russian gas also faded away. Europe opened three new terminals in less than one year, while 5 more are planned to be launched by late 2023 with total capacity of 50 billion cubic meters.

She noted that Europe imported a total of 135 billion cubic meters of LNG, with 56.4 billion cubic meters accounting for the US alone. As such, Europe’s LNG imports rose by 34 billion cubic meters year-on-year.

“The increase of gas supplies from other sources than Russia was almost 10 percent higher than the estimated in the March REPowerEU Communication. Overall, the EU phased out Russian gas by two-thirds. We backed up this diversification effort with new tools,” added Simson.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov talked briefly Thursday at a meeting of top diplomats from the Group of 20 nations in the first high-level meeting in months between the two countries.

U.S. officials said Blinken and Lavrov chatted for roughly 10 minutes on the sidelines of the G-20 conference in New Delhi. The short encounter came as relations between Washington and Moscow have plummeted while tensions over Russia’s war with Ukraine have soared.

A senior U.S. official said Blinken used the discussion to make three points to Lavrov: that the U.S. would support Ukraine in the conflict for as long as it takes to bring the war to an end, that Russia should reverse its decision to suspend participation in the New START nuclear treaty and that Moscow should release detained American Paul Whelan.

The official, who spoke to reporters on the condition of anonymity to discuss the private conversation, said Blinken had “disabused” Lavrov of any idea they might have that U.S. support for Ukraine is wavering.

The official declined to characterize Lavrov’s response but said Blinken did not get the impression that there would be any change in Russia’s behavior in the near term.

Lavrov, who did not mention speaking with Blinken, told reporters that Moscow will continue to press its action in Ukraine. He shrugged off Western claims of Russia’s isolation, saying “we aren’t feeling isolated. It’s the West that has isolated itself, and it will eventually come to realize it.”

He said Russia remains open to talks on ending the conflict in Ukraine, but he accused the West of effectively blocking such talks.

“They are calling on us to have talks, but I don’t remember any Western colleagues calling on Ukraine to have talks,” he said. “They are encouraging Ukraine to continue the war.”

Lavrov also mocked the U.S. threats against China. “Our Western colleagues have lost self-control, forgotten their manners and put diplomacy aside, switching exclusively to blackmail and threats.” he said.

Russia had no immediate comment on the substance of the conversation, but Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said Blinken had asked to speak to Lavrov.

It was their first contact since last summer, when Blinken talked to Lavrov by phone about a U.S. proposal for Russia to release Whelan and formerly detained WNBA star Brittney Griner. Griner was later released in a swap for imprisoned Russian arms dealer Viktor Bout, but Whelan remains detained in Russia.

Whelan, a Michigan corporate security executive, has been held for four years on espionage charges that his family and the United States government have said are baseless.

The last time Blinken and Lavrov met in person was in Geneva, Switzerland, in January 2022 on the eve of Russia’s invasion. 

At that meeting, Blinken warned Lavrov about consequences Russia would face if it went ahead with its planned military operation but also sought to address some complaints that Russian President Vladimir Putin had made about the U.S. and NATO.

Those talks proved to be inconclusive as Russia moved ahead with its plans to invade and Blinken then canceled a scheduled follow-up meeting with Lavrov that was set for just two days before Moscow eventually invaded on Feb. 24, 2022.

The two men have attended several international conferences together since the war began, notably the last G-20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Bali, Indonesia, last year, but they had not come face to face until Thursday.

Source – AP News

– Agencies 

Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov met Geir Pedersen, the UN special envoy for Syria, for talks in the capital Moscow.

The meeting on Monday was centered around the political and humanitarian situation in Syria, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement.

“Particular attention was paid to urgent humanitarian tasks of mobilizing international assistance, including for overcoming the consequences of the earthquake, providing comprehensive support to all needy and affected Syrians without discrimination, politicization and preconditions,” the statement said.

Parts of northwestern Syria were hit hard in the powerful Feb. 6 quakes that were centered in Türkiye’s southern Kahramanmaras province.

In Türkiye, the disaster has claimed more than 44,300 lives in 11 provinces, while the death toll in Syria has climbed to at least 5,840.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Lavrov emphasized the need for coordination between UN humanitarian agencies and Damascus, the statement added.

“The imperative of lifting all illegal unilateral sanctions against Syria, which hinder humanitarian activities and have a negative impact on the liv es of ordinary citizens, was noted,” the ministry said.

Lavrov and Pedersen also discussed issues related to a political settlement in Syria in accordance with the UN Security Council Resolution 2254, it added.

The top diplomat laid down flowers at a local 2WW memorial in praise of Russian war bravery.

In a sign of support to the Russian Armed Forces, Russian Ambassador to Norway Teimuraz Ramishvili on Wednesday laid down a wreath at the war memorial in Norway.

In a video address, Vladimir Putin congratulated veterans, military and civilian personnel of the Armed Forces and all Russian citizens on this holiday.

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Comrade officers, veterans,

Please accept my greetings on this holiday, Defender of the Fatherland Day!

This national holiday epitomises the heroic history of our Army and Navy and the unbreakable link connecting all generations of defenders of the Fatherland. It embodies our deep gratitude to the faithful sons and daughters of the Fatherland, to all those who did not spare themselves as they fought the enemy defending their native land and their people, underwent trials with honour and emerged as a victor, and who crushed foreign invasions. So it was at Lake Chudskoye and on Kulikovo Field, near Poltava and Borodino, and in the victorious May of 1945.

On this day, deep respect and the warmest words go to our dear veterans who defeated Nazism and upheld the freedom and independence of the Motherland. Your feats during the Great Patriotic War will forever remain in the historical memory of our people as a vivid example of patriotism and courage and will serve as an inexhaustible source of spiritual strength. The current generation of Russian soldiers and officers preserves and enhances the military traditions of their grandfathers and great-grandfathers.

I would like to extend my heartfelt greetings on this holiday to our military personnel, volunteers, mobilised citizens, and specialists in various professions who are participating in the special military operation. Our troops are heroically fighting the neo-Nazism that has taken root in Ukraine, protecting our people in our historical lands, and are fighting courageously and heroically.

Comrade officers,

Modern and efficient Army and Navy are a guarantee of the country’s security and sovereignty, and a guarantee of its stable development and its future. That is why, as before, we will give priority attention to strengthening our defence capability.

Relying on actual combat experience, we will pursue balanced and high-quality development of all components of the Armed Forces, improve the system for training units. A solid foundation here is the soldiers, sergeants and officers who showed their worth in combat on the frontline.

We will continue to supply advanced equipment to our troops, including new strike systems, reconnaissance and communications equipment, drones and artillery systems. Our industry is quickly increasing the production of the entire range of conventional weapons and preparing for mass production of advanced models of equipment for the Army and Navy, as well as the Aerospace Forces.

As before, we will put our focus on strengthening the nuclear triad. This year, the first Sarmat missile system launchers with the new heavy missile will be put on combat duty. We will continue full production of the Kinzhal air-launched hypersonic systems and begin mass deployment of Tsirkon sea-launched hypersonic missiles.

With the Borei-A nuclear-powered submarine Emperor Alexander III becoming operational in the Navy, the share of modern weapons and equipment in the naval strategic nuclear forces will reach 100 percent. In the coming years, three more cruisers from this project will be delivered to the Navy.

Friends,

Our people believe in you, the defenders of Russia, in your reliability, resolve and devotion to the Fatherland and the oath. Millions of people are following their hearts as they help our frontline soldiers, and this unbreakable unity is the key to our victory.

Once again, happy holiday!

I wish you good health and every success in serving the Motherland, and well-being to your families and friends.

Today Russia celebrates Diplomats’ Day, the professional holiday of the Foreign Ministry’s current and retired staff members. It was established by the Presidential Decree in 2002. The date is closely associated with the history of Russia’s first foreign affairs agency – the Ambassadorial Department created on February 10, 1549, and headed by Ivan Viskovatyi, actually, the first professional organizer of the diplomatic service of the Russian State.   

Even though, the history of diplomatic ad-hoc relations traces its roots to the olden time of Russia with its first capital in Kiev.  

A modern professional diplomatic service appeared during the reign of Peter the Great, the first Russian Emperor. His reforms made the country part of the emergent European diplomatic system.   

In 1718, the Foreign Affairs Collegium, subordinated to the Senate, the country’s supreme institution of state authority, replaced the Ambassadorial Department. Compared to the modern Foreign Ministry, the new agency had a broad remit. Not only did the Collegium monitor diplomatic mission exchanges, but it also oversaw the affairs of Russia’s ethnic groups living in borderline regions.   

Following the reforms of Emperor Alexander I, in 1802 the Ministry of Foreign Affairs was created. One-man management became an important innovation, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs replacing the Collegium’s members.   

Today Ministry’s structure has expanded considerably and now it has over 40 departments and more than 200 embassies, consulates, and representative offices outside of Russia.  

In 1856, Alexander Gorchakov was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Empire, and brilliant victories of Russian diplomacy are linked with his name. He managed to achieve the lifting of restrictions on Russia’s sovereignty over the Black Sea, resolutely upheld the rights of Christian nations in Turkey and prevented the threat of an all-out European war.  

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the Russian Empire’s diplomacy made an invaluable contribution to expanding the norms of humanitarian law. In 1898, Emperor Nicholas II initiated the first international disarmament conference in history.   

Its delegates met in The Hague and agreed to renounce the use of poison gases and explosive bullets. In 1907, delegates to the 2nd Hague Conference banned the use of the most barbaric means of warfare and established an International Arbitration Court, the oldest organization for resolving disputes between States through peaceful means.  

In 1918, the People’s Commissariat for Foreign Affairs (NKID) began to implement the foreign policy of Soviet Russia. The Russian Empire’s diplomatic ranks were replaced with the single rank of Plenipotentiary Representative. A special institute, now the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Diplomatic Academy, was established to train NKID specialists.   In the 1920s, the Soviet Union won wide-ranging international recognition and established diplomatic relations with 25 countries. In the 1930s, the Soviet Union prioritized the establishment of a collective security system for Europe.   

Illegal unilateral sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation and aggression against our motherland in economic, financial, information and cyber spaces prove that our demands are fully right and correct, and in 2023 we will continue to defend the right of all nations to live in a peaceful and just world. 

Unfortunately, Great Britain and Germany prevented the implementation of this Soviet-French initiative.  
During World War II, more than 360 NKID employees volunteered to fight at the front, and many of them were killed in action. Diplomatic ranks and special uniforms were reinstated, and the NKID was again renamed the Foreign Ministry.  

At that time, Soviet diplomacy did its best to strengthen the Anti-Hitler Coalition and to facilitate the opening of the Second Front in Europe. Following the defeat of Nazism, the Soviet Union became a great power and a pillar of the bipolar international order.   

The post-war European system was determined with the active involvement of high-ranking Soviet foreign policy officials, and it was also decided to establish the UN to safeguard future generations from the horrors of another world war.   

Post-war Soviet diplomacy made a weighty contribution to supporting national-liberation movements in Asia, Africa and Latin America, curbing the arms race and formalizing the principles of security and cooperation in Europe. Andrey Gromyko who headed the Foreign Ministry almost throughout the entire Cold War played a special role in the nuclear disarmament process.  

Today, the Foreign Ministry of Russia is guided by the Concept of Foreign Policy of the Russian Federation as endorsed by the President of Russia on November 30, 2016.   

In accordance with this document Russian foreign policy is aimed at ensuring the country’s national security, sovereignty and territorial integrity, creating favourable conditions for sustainable economic growth, strengthening international peace and stability, enhancing the role of the UN, and developing bilateral and multilateral relations of mutually advantageous and equitable partnership with foreign states.   The key principles of Russian foreign policy have remained unchanged: independence, openness, predictability, pragmatism, a multi-directional approach, and the upholding of national interests.   

Recently, the Russian Foreign Ministry has prepared an updated draft of the Foreign Policy Concept of the Russian Federation which takes into account the recent global changes took occurred in international politics over the past five years, and now it is under consideration by the President.  
Russian Diplomats’ Day gives us an opportunity to remember the past, think about the present and future of Russia’s diplomatic service, as well as look back at Russia’s diplomatic performance in 2022.  

On February 24, 2022, the Special Military Operation started. That Operation aims to protect the civilian population of Donbass from the cruelties conducted by the Western-controlled puppet Nazi regime in Kiev, deNazification and demilitarization of Ukraine as well as prevention from the creation of any threat to the Russian borders, including Ukraine’s attempt to join the aggressive anti-Russian NATO.   

The US-sponsored forces that seized power in Ukraine by coup d’état in 2014 unleashed a civil war in that country to eliminate the Russian minority and those who supported them and opposed impudent rewriting of history, abusive for every normal citizen, when criminals become heroes, and monuments for heroes are being broken by hooligans-in-power.   

So the Western powers’ interference once again has launched a proxy war, as they used to do in numerous cases, incited one part of people to another.  

Russian diplomacy at the moment is facing challenges sprouting from the current process of the international order transformation. Western powers after the collapse of the Soviet Union have imagined that it is their sole right to govern the whole world on their will.   

Checks and balances, that made the then-system viable, were broken, leaving only several institutions alive not to make the entire life on Earth a hell. The West launched a hypocritical policy of neocolonialism, using the tools of economic enslaving, and manipulation over human rights, democracy and law.   

Now we are on the frontline of fighting for the new, just world order, that will include prosperity for all nations, equal rights for every country all over the world, firm guarantees of security for all, as well as the basic role of the international law without any bite for those who claim themselves as “exclusives”.  
Illegal unilateral sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation and aggression against our motherland in economic, financial, information and cyber spaces prove that our demands are fully right and correct, and in 2023 we will continue to defend the right of all nations to live in a peaceful and just world.   

The enemy and its foreign sponsors will be defeated, and the truth will triumph over the hypocrisy and lie of our adversaries!