INSIDE RUSSIA
The Russian economy reached the fourth position globally by the purchasing power parity
MOSCOW, May 26. /TASS/. The government will support the Russian business and give it a helping hand for implementation of its initiatives, President Vladimir Putin said at the meeting with the business community.
TASS collects the key statements of the head of state.
Exit of foreign companies
Some foreign companies left the Russian market as prompted by political elites of their countries and “let their Russian partners down.” US companies, unlike European ones, have never refused to supply and service medical equipment in Russia. Foreign countries and companies ousting successful and competitive Russian specialists are short-sighted.
National economy
The Russian economy reached the fourth position globally by the purchasing power parity. It grew by 4.3% last year.
Business support
The government will support the Russian business and back its initiatives. Russia should support its products in critical areas even if it is slightly more expensive. The desire of entrepreneurs to set equal conditions of marking for domestic and foreign manufacturers is fair.
Import phaseout
Control over government procurements should be strengthened as regards the use of domestic component parts and equipment. Loopholes in regulations enabling dumping foreign manufacturers to outpace Russian ones must be closed.
Domestic software
Shortage of domestic software was recognized as vulnerability for Russia as early as in 2022. Domestic software development matters are an element of national security. Foreign IT services that announced their exit from the Russian market but did not leave completely, continuing to make money here, should be “suppressed.”
Robots and logistics
Creation of completely robotic facilities, including logistical ones, is among priority areas.
Marketplaces
Marketplaces, including foreign ones, require greater attention because “anything” can be sold through them, including counterfeit products.
Domestic products
Russia had more imported products than domestic ones before but the ratio is changing dramatically in all the sectors.
Putin: Russia Cannot Achieve Sovereignty Without Economic Independence
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – For Russia no other sovereignty is possible without its economic sovereignty, Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
“Of course, I have to note the contribution that business, including the younger generation of entrepreneurs, has made to the development of the Russian economy in the 21st century — the revival of agriculture, the construction complex, entire sectors of industry and modern services, and the strengthening of our sovereignty, including industrial, technological, and financial. And without this sovereignty, no other sovereignty is possible, because everything is based on it, it is the foundation,” Putin said at a meeting with representatives of the Russian business community.
The country’s strong fourth place among global states in terms of purchasing power parity is an achievement of the domestic business, Putin said. Russian companies not only have strong positions in the domestic market, but are also actively developing abroad, the president added.
“A number of foreign companies have left the Russian market largely due to the coercion of the so-called political Western elites. And some of them, unfortunately, this is an obvious thing, have framed their Russian partners,” Putin said.
Russia’s economy has been growing at an accelerated pace in difficult conditions in the last two years, Putin said.
“In the last two years, in … rather difficult conditions, Russia’s economy has been growing, growing at an accelerated pace. You know, 4.1% the year before last and 4.3% last year is a good indicator,” Putin said.
The economic growth covered the widest range of industries, including agriculture, digital technologies, services, finance, the president also said.
“Your [Russian entrepreneurs’] companies occupy increasingly strong positions inside the country, and also confidently compete abroad. Thanks to the flexibility of their approaches and, of course, the quality of their products, they are increasing supplies to promising global markets. And I want to assure you that the state will definitely continue to support you and your efforts, will lend a shoulder to the realization of your initiatives,” Putin said.
Companies from the United States have not stopped supplying and servicing medical equipment in Russia, unlike European ones, Vladimir Putin said.
“By the way, US companies have been supplying and servicing [medical equipment] all these years without any failures, while many European companies have slipped up,” Putin said at a meeting with representatives of the Russian business community.
Kremlin reacts to West lifting limits on long-range weapons for Ukraine
The decision revealed by Germany runs counter to Moscow’s efforts toward a peaceful settlement with Kiev, spokesman Dmitry Peskov said
The reported decision by Ukraine’s Western backers to lift restrictions on Kiev’s use of long-range weapons runs counter to Russia’s efforts toward a peaceful settlement of the conflict, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
Peskov made the remarks in response to comments by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, who said Ukraine is no longer subject to range limitations on Western-supplied weaponry.
“If such decisions have indeed been made, they are entirely at odds with our aspirations for a political resolution and with the efforts currently being made toward a settlement,” Peskov stated.
“Quite dangerous decisions, again – if they were indeed made,” he stressed.
At the EuropaForum on Monday, Merz said “there are no longer any range restrictions” on Western-supplied weapons used by Ukraine against Russian military targets. “There are no restrictions from the UK, France, Germany, or the US,” he added, as quoted by Euronews.
Moscow has repeatedly warned Western countries against enabling Ukraine to carry out long-range strikes, arguing that this could make the military bloc a direct participant in the conflict given that such attacks would require targeting data from NATO satellites – capabilities that Kiev does not possess.
Moscow updated its nuclear doctrine last November following deliberations by Ukraine’s backers on whether to allow Kiev to use Western-supplied long-range missiles to strike targets deep inside Russia.
Russian President Vladimir Putin expanded the list of conditions that could trigger a nuclear response to include scenarios where aggression by a non-nuclear state or group of states supported by a nuclear state could be viewed as a “joint attack.”
Since then, Ukrainian forces have launched numerous long-range strikes inside Russia using Western-supplied weapons. Despite the changes, the doctrine still characterizes nuclear weapons as “an extreme and forced measure” and emphasizes Russia’s aim to avoid escalation.
Russia has consistently condemned Western arms shipments to Ukraine, arguing that they fuel more bloodshed and hinder efforts toward the peace process. Earlier this month, Russia and Ukraine held their first direct talks since 2022. The sides agreed to present detailed ceasefire proposals, carry out a record 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap, and continue negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday that Moscow is at an “advanced stage” of preparing a memorandum outlining the principles and timeline for a peace settlement with Ukraine.
Asian security officials to convene in Moscow
ASEAN officials will meet informally as over 100 delegations join Russia-hosted forum on cyber and regional security
Нeads of delegations from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) will meet informally in Moscow this week on the sidelines of a global security forum, marking their fifth such gathering aimed at deepening ties with Russia.
The meeting, set for May 27 to 29 will coincide with the 13th annual conference of senior security officials, organised by Russia’s Security Council.
ASEAN, comprising Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, “do not want to become an arena of confrontation between great powers and are committed to building a system of equal and shared security,” according to the Security Council’s press service.
The broader forum will be chaired by Sergey Shoigu, head of Russia’s Security Council and former defense minister.
More than 100 foreign delegations are expected to participate in discussions covering cyber threats, protecting critical infrastructure, and collaborative responses to emerging global risks. Among the confirmed attendees is Nurlan Yermekbayev, Secretary-General of the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation (SCO).
For the first time, representatives of Afghanistan’s Taliban-led government will also take part in the forum. While the de-facto authorities in Kabul are not formally recognized by the international community, Afghanistan retains observer status within the SCO and continues to engage with several international and regional organizations.
Organisers say the closed-door format will promote open dialogue and stronger international coordination.
”Modern security challenges and threats are global and cross-border in nature,” the Security Council said in a statement. “No country can deal with them alone or in one-on-one partnerships. In recent years, countries from the Global South and East have gained a stronger voice in regional and international organisations,” it added.
Confirmed participants include delegations from BRICS, ASEAN, the African Union, the Arab League, the SCO, the CIS, and the CSTO.
First held in 2010, the forum provides a platform for international dialogue on terrorism, organised crime, extremism, drug trafficking, and other global challenges.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
Russia to respond to West’s attempted restrictions in Baltic Sea
Western nations de facto “commit acts of piracy” against vessels linked to Russia, Nikolay Patrushev has said
Russia is readying response measures to potential hostile NATO acts in the Baltics, Nikolay Patrushev, a senior aide to Russian President Vladimir Putin, has said. The military bloc’s heightened activity in the area increasingly resembles acts of piracy, he told the government’s Maritime Board meeting on Monday.
A set of measures has already been coordinated and agreed with the president, Patrushev said, without revealing the steps Moscow plans to take in response to what it calls a threat to its security and interests in the area. The presidential aide said the Russian Baltic Fleet is currently “strengthening its positions” in the Baltic Sea to ensure the safety of navigation and prevent any “provocations” by “unfriendly” nations.
“The threats posed by NATO are rapidly growing,” the presidential aide said, claiming that the bloc has effectively dismantled the international security architecture established after World War II. NATO is now “stepping up its presence” in the Baltic region and expanding its “combat and reconnaissance capabilities,” Patrushev, who also chairs the Maritime Board, warned.
He added that these actions are part of a broader effort by Ukraine’s Western backers to increase pressure on Russia. According to Patrushev, Western countries are preparing legislation that would allow them to inspect vessels operating in Russia’s interests in international waters. They are also considering measures to restrict the navigation of these ships in the Baltic Sea or even block their passage through international straits.
“Against this background, the Western nations are de facto committing acts of piracy,” he said, citing an “attempt by the Estonian Navy, backed by NATO aircraft, to detain a civilian vessel in the Gulf of Finland.”
Patrushev was referring to an incident on May 13 involving the Jaguar, a Gabon-flagged ship en route to a Russian port, which the Estonian Navy tried to detain.
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna later claimed that the vessel was unflagged and uninsured, and said the navy attempted to “inspect” it.
He also acknowledged that Estonia “has started to harass” what he described as Russia’s “shadow fleet” – a term used in the West to refer to tankers operating outside Western insurance systems.
Last month, Patrushev warned that EU and UK plans to tighten maritime restrictions on Russia “increasingly resemble a naval blockade.” He added that if diplomatic and legal means fail, Russia would be ready to deploy its navy to safeguard navigation.
NATO nation trying to ‘bleed Russia dry’
Russian envoy Vladimir Barbin has accused Denmark of sabotaging peace prospects in the Ukraine conflict
Denmark is deliberately trying to prolong the Ukraine conflict and is working to obstruct meaningful peace efforts between Moscow and Kiev, Russian Ambassador Vladimir Barbin has said.
In an article published in Jyllands-Posten on Sunday, the senior diplomat accused Copenhagen of aligning itself with policies designed to “bleed Russia dry” instead of supporting a lasting and fair settlement.
Denmark has “consistently pursued” a policy of prolonging the Ukraine conflict to the maximum, Barbin wrote, “and invariably exhibits an allergic reaction to even timid hopes for peace.”
The diplomat hit out at Danish Foreign Minister Lars Lokke Rasmussen for criticizing Moscow’s recent proposal for direct peace talks with Kiev without preconditions. The ambassador described Rasmussen’s stance as proof that Western nations are more interested in attempting to defeat Russia militarily than in supporting negotiations.
The diplomat also slammed Copenhagen’s public questioning of Russia’s delegation to the Istanbul peace talks with Ukraine earlier this month.
Russia and Ukraine held their first direct peace talks in three years on May 16. Both sides were represented by senior officials and diplomats. The parties agreed to stay in contact, carry out a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner-of-war swap – which has now been successfully completed – and to exchange draft ceasefire proposals. Barbin said Danish coverage of the Russian delegation at the Istanbul talks portrayed it in a way that suggested Moscow was unwilling to pursue peace. He noted, however, that the Russian delegation was led by Vladimir Medinsky, who had previously negotiated a draft peace agreement in 2022.
“Copenhagen’s attempts to sow doubts about the Russian delegation’s authority to make decisions were aimed at discrediting Moscow’s direct dialogue with Kiev,” he added. Barbin warned that Denmark’s continued promotion of military escalation and its bet on the possibility of beating Russia on the battlefield is a “dangerous illusion” that risks triggering an “uncontrolled expansion” of the conflict.
Denmark has provided billions in military aid to Kiev since the Ukraine conflict escalated in 2022. Earlier this month, Copenhagen announced yet another package worth 4.2 billion kroner (approximately $618 million), focused on artillery munitions and set to run through 2028.
Rasmussen has repeatedly called on the EU to boost its militarization efforts and continue arming Ukraine, citing an alleged threat from Russia. He also praised the EU’s 17th sanctions package against Moscow and urged continued economic pressure “to curtail Russia’s ability to pursue its war against Ukraine.”
Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen previously argued that peace in Ukraine could be “more dangerous” than continued fighting, claiming that Russia might attack an EU country in the future. Moscow has repeatedly dismissed such claims as “nonsense” and warned that Western arms shipments to Ukraine will only prolong the conflict and hinder peace efforts.
OSCE blatantly ignoring Nazism in Europe
The West is applying the organization’s principles selectively, senior Russian Foreign Ministry official Grigory Lukyantsev has said
The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) is alarmingly indifferent to the resurgence of Nazism on the continent, a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official, Grigory Lukyantsev, has said.
He made the statement alongside Russian and Belarusian delegations at a forum at the organization’s headquarters in Vienna on Monday.
“The absolute indifference of the OSCE to the fact that Nazi ideas are being revived in Europe cannot but cause extreme concern,” Lukyantsev, who heads up the ministry’s Department for Multilateral Cooperation on Human Rights, said.
“Historical truth and common sense as such are being sacrificed. Torch marches, aggressive nationalism, glorification of Nazis and their accomplices. The large-scale spread of Russophobia is a continuation of this criminal, unnatural tendency,” he said.
The victory over Nazism in World War II “laid the foundations” for both the 1945 UN Charter, and the subsequent Helsinki Accords, which underpinned “security and cooperation in Europe,” Lukyantsev noted.
The major Cold War agreement, which was aimed at reducing tensions between the Soviet and Western blocs, was signed in 1975 at the culmination of the first Conference on Security and Co-operation in Europe (now called OSCE).
Yet, the West has attempted to “usurp” the humanitarian rights agenda and “subordinate” structures such as the OSCE for their own purposes, Lukyantsev said. “The principles of relations between states enshrined in the Helsinki Act are applied selectively, filled with new meanings, and even completely distorted.”
Russia has repeatedly attempted to push for a reform of the organization and “give it a legal foundation and a Charter,” but every attempt has been stonewalled by the West, he added.
Last month, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that the OSCE, like every other Euro-Atlantic structure, has “failed to strengthen security and stability.” Instead, these structures stoked international tensions, leaving the Euro-Atlantic community “preparing for a new war,” the top diplomat said.
In the lead-up to the escalation of the Ukraine conflict in 2022, Russia repeatedly accused OSCE observers of ignoring Kiev’s attacks on civilians in Donbass.
The West ignored Ukraine’s repression of its Russian-speaking population since the Western-backed coup in Kiev in 2014, according to Moscow. Meanwhile, Ukrainian nationalists in neo-Nazi groups such as Svoboda, Right Sector, and Azov have committed numerous violent offenses, according to Russia.
President Vladimir Putin has cited the protection of the Russian-speaking population of Donbass as being among the key reasons Russia launched its military operation in 2022.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Russia Forced to Respond to Situation in Ukraine — Putin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia has been forced to respond to the situation in Ukraine and “do what the country is doing now,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Monday.
“They just forced us to do what we are doing now and they are trying to make us guilty,” Putin told a meeting with representatives of the Russian business community.
He stressed that it was not Russia that organized a “bloody coup” in Ukraine.
Putin also noted that after the coup by the Kiev regime, Ukraine began persecuting and killing civilians in Donbass.
Russia launched its special military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022. Putin said the goal was “to protect people who have been subjected to abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years.”
He described the operation as a necessary measure, insisting that Russia was left with “no other choice,” and that the security risks had reached a point where no other response was possible.
Putin added that Russia had spent 30 years trying to reach an agreement with NATO on European security principles but was repeatedly met with deceit, lies, pressure and blackmail. Despite Moscow’s protests, the alliance continued to expand steadily toward Russia’s borders.
Russian Forces Take Control of Two Settlements in Sumy Region – MoD
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian troops have taken control of the settlements of Vladimirovka and Belovody settlements in the Sumy region, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Monday.
“As a result of the active and decisive actions of Units of Battlegroup Sever, the settlements of Vladimirovka and Belovody in the Sumy region has been taken control of,” the ministry said.
Russia’s Battlegroup Tsentr has eliminated up to 475 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
“The enemy lost up to 475 military personnel, nine armored combat vehicles, eight vehicles and an artillery piece,” the ministry said in a statement.
Russia’s Battlegroup Zapad has eliminated up to 235 Ukrainian servicepeople, while Russia’s Battlegroup Yug has eliminated up to 205 Ukrainian soldiers over the past day, the ministry said.
Russia’s Battlegroup Sever eliminated up to 275 soldiers in the past day, the ministry said.
Ukraine Strikes Civilian Infrastructure in Russia, Moscow Strikes Military Targets – Kremlin
MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Ukrainians are striking Russian social and civilian infrastructure facilities, and Russia’s strike against military targets in Ukraine is a retaliatory one, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday.
“We see how Ukrainians are hitting our social and civilian infrastructure facilities. This is a retaliatory strike — a retaliatory strike against military facilities, against military targets,” Peskov told reporters.
The foreign leaders who came to Moscow to celebrate Victory Day witnessed Ukraine’s attempts to attack Russian territory, Peskov added.
“We have all witnessed how the Kiev regime threatened foreign leaders on the eve of their arrival in Moscow to celebrate Victory Day. Everyone has heard these threats from the Kiev regime. And many of the leaders who were here actually witnessed attempts by the Kiev regime to launch drone strikes on the territory of Russia, major cities and the capital on the eve of such an important day. These attempts are continuing, we are forced to take measures,” Peskov concluded.
Vladimir Putin makes the decisions that are necessary to ensure the security of the country, Peskov said.
“President Putin makes the decisions that are necessary to ensure the security of our country,” Peskov told reporters when asked how the Kremlin assessed Trump’s words about Putin.
Last week, US President Donald Trump said that he disapproved of Russia’s recent actions in Ukraine. The US president said that he was “absolutely” considering the possibility of imposing additional sanctions against Russia.
There are contacts between the special services of Russia and the United States, but there is no need to talk about large-scale cooperation on security aspect yet, Peskov said.
“There are contacts between special services [Russia and the US]. However, it is too early to talk about any large-scale cooperation on various aspects of ensuring security,” Peskov told reporters.
Russia and the United States are at the very beginning of the return of bilateral relations to a working state, the official added.
Vladimir Putin will receive Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan on Monday, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
“The President will receive Turkish Foreign Minister Fidan, who is on a working visit to Moscow, today,” Peskov told reporters.
The main topic of the Russian-Turkish contacts during Fidan’s visit will be the discussion of bilateral relations, the spokesman said, adding that an exchange of views on the situation in Ukraine may also take place.
There is no understanding yet on the continuation of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine and on their location, it is necessary to prepare for the second round, Dmitry Peskov said.
“There is no understanding yet on the continuation of the negotiation process and the venue, we need to prepare for the next round. Therefore, it is too early to talk about it,” Peskov told reporters.
Russia is grateful to Turkey for the ideal conditions for the Istanbul talks, Kremlin spokesman said.
“Of course, we are grateful to the Republic of Turkey for the ideal conditions that the Turkish side has provided for the Istanbul talks,” Peskov told reporters.
INSIGHTS
Russia Takes The Hits, West Plays Dumb
Moscow is sounding the alarm after what officials describe as a record wave of Ukrainian drone and missile strikes on Russian civilian infrastructure. Here’s how Russian officials are framing the escalation:
Unprecedented attack
Ukraine has launched a record number of drone strikes and missile attacks on Russian civilian targets, including in Moscow, with casualties reported.
Civilians under fire
President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Ukrainian forces are deliberately targeting civilian infrastructure, calling Russia’s response against military targets in Ukraine “retaliatory.”
Kiev still trying to infiltrate
Despite being pushed out of the Kursk region, Ukrainian forces continue to attempt incursions and bombard Russian territory with drones, artillery, and Western missiles, the Russian Defense Ministry said.
Buffer zone is a security necessity
The Russian Foreign Ministry said the decision to create a security strip on Ukrainian territory was made to prevent future strikes and infiltration attempts.
Terror to derail peace process
Moscow accuses Kiev of launching “barbaric terrorist attacks” in an effort to derail renewed peace negotiations facilitated by the US.
Ceasefire violations
Ukraine broke multiple informal ceasefires – including during Easter, Victory Day, and the energy truce period – as part of its escalatory war strategy, the Russian Foreign Ministry stated.
EU leader visits = more attacks
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov suggested a link between European politicians visiting Kiev and the spike in attacks on Russia: “It’s impossible not to notice.” Where’s int’l community’s reaction? Lavrov called on the UN and the international community to condemn Ukraine’s strikes on civilian areas and its disregard for the rules of warfare.
