Zakharova : Resolving the crisis in Syria is an interest for Russia

Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that resolving the crisis in Syria is a national interest and a matter of principle for Russia alongside its interest in combating international terrorism, noting that attempts to amass terrorists in Syria constitutes a blow directed against Russia.

Russia will not yield to western pressure - FM

Russia intends to build relationships with western countries on the basis of equality and mutual benefit, and it will no longer yield to external pressure, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.

President Barack Obama delivers his final State of the Union address to Congress

President Barack Obama has delivered his final State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress in Washington.

He outlined his accomplishments over the past seven years and urged Americans to overcome their fears and work together to "fix" the nation's politics.

Russia to Consider Iraq Anti-Terror Aid Bid - (Valentina Matvienko)

Russia will consider Iraq's request to provide military assistance in fighting terrorism, should it be made, taking into account its national interests and security, Russian parliamentary speaker Valentina Matvienko said in an interview published on Friday.

Obama's new security strategy stresses 'collective action'

The Obama administration on Friday unveiled its second and final national security strategy, stressing the importance of "collective action" over unilateral ones in defending U.S. core interests...

Libyan factions to hold talks in Geneva. (Dialogue aims to reach deal on political issues including formation of unity government.)

The UN says it will host a new round of peace talks between Libya's rival factions in Geneva next week.
The UN Support Mission in Libya (UNSMIL) announced in a statement on Saturday the fresh round of political dialogue would be held at the UN office in the Swiss city.
The agreement was reached after wide and intensive consultations with the parties by Bernardino Leon, UNSMIL's head who is also the UN chief's special representative for Libya, over the past several weeks.

Russia, Serbia are brotherly nations (Tomislav Nikolic, Serbian president)

Brotherhood of Serbian and Russian nations is sealed by joint fight for freedom in the First World War, said Serbian President Tomislav Nikolic on Thursday after unveiling a monument dedicated to soldiers of two countries that died defending Belgrade from 1914 to 1918.

The marble monument consisting of a hollow cross with a sculpture of an angel slaying the dragon was placed at the Kalemegdan fortress on Thursday with the presence of Vladimir Yakunin, deputy chairperson of the Russian "St. Andrew the First-Called Fund" that financed the sculpture together with the "Center of National Glory".

Moscow blames Kiev, countries behind it for putting their interests above humanity

MOSCOW, August 22ю /ITAR-TASS/. Moscow blamed Kiev and countries behind it for putting their interests above humanity and compassion, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.

“Hypocritical lecturing of our country from other capitals will follow Kiev insinuations within a few hours and days,” Ryabkov said with confidence. “Primitive and predictable nature of everything that we hear in the West does not need long comments,” the high-ranking diplomat said, adding that “We reply in advance: before teaching others how to live, take a look at yourself. Just think how your words are being crossed out by your deeds.”

Chinese president urges prevention of humanitarian crisis in Ukraine

Chinese President Xi Jinping said Saturday that efforts should be made to prevent Ukraine from falling into humanitarian crisis.

When meeting with Ban Ki-moon, secretary-general of the United Nations, Xi described the crash of a Malaysian plane in eastern Ukraine as "a tragedy." The incident showed that "it is important and imperative to properly address the Ukraine crisis," he said.

Russia will act as it sees fit to protect its interests (Putin)

Russia will act as it sees fit to protect its interests, said Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to MPs and ministers in the Crimea.

"The United States pulled out from the Treaty on the Limitation of Strategic Offensive Arms just like that, and that was that. The Americans proceeded from interests of national security," Putin said.

"And we will do exactly the same, when it deems necessary and beneficial for our interests," he added.

Moldova’s association agreement with EU disregards its interests in east

Moldova will be actually brought down to its knees before the European Union, Moldova’s former President says...

The association agreement Moldova has signed with the European Union take no account of Moldova’s interests in the east, Moldova’s former President and leader of the country’s biggest Party of Communists, Vladimir Voronin, said on Friday.
“The association agreement signed between Moldova and the European Union does not take due account of our interests in the east. We should not lose our partners and limit our development possibilities,” he said.

Putin Orders Strong Military Presence in Arctic

MOSCOW, December 10 (RIA Novosti) – Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the Russian military on Tuesday to boost its presence in the Arctic and complete the development of military infrastructure in the region next year.

“I request that you pay special attention to the deployment of infrastructure and military units in the Arctic,” Putin said at an expanded meeting of the Defense Ministry Board.

Putin said Russia is actively developing this promising region and should have all means for protection of its security and national interests there.

Hellenic MoFA: But the great challenge for the EU is to be able to bring the national interest of each member state into line with a single European interest.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Venizelos’ speech to the joint session of the Parliamentary committees on Defense & Foreign Affairs and European Affairs, on the priorities of the Greek Presidency of the Council of the EU in the first half of 2014 (13 November 2013)
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Thursday, 14 November 2013

Mr. Speaker, ladies and gentlemen MPs, Greece is preparing to assume the Presidency of the Council of the European Union for the fifth time since acceding to what was then the EEC. So we have long experience of carrying out Presidencies.