Inside Russia-Outside Russia is a news insight by Embassy of the Russian Federation in Bangladesh on 19.02.25
Dhaka February 19 2025 :
INSIDE RUSSIA
Press release on Russia-US consultations
In accordance with the agreement between President Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump to step up contacts to discuss international issues and bilateral agenda, on February 18, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov held talks in Riyadh with a US delegation represented by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.
The participants discussed a broad range of issues, including prospects for normalising bilateral relations. The sides agreed to appoint respective ambassadors as soon as possible, and to start consultations at the level of deputy foreign ministers to remove restrictions on activities of the diplomatic missions of the two countries. The sides agreed to establish a dialogue to identify ways to resume cooperation in the economy, including energy, outer space exploration, and other areas of mutual interest.
The sides exchanged views on the situation surrounding Ukraine and reiterated their mutual commitment to settle the conflict. The Russian side emphasised the importance of eliminating the root causes of the conflict, creating proper conditions for achieving a lasting and enduring peace, and ensuring security and legitimate interests of all countries in the region. An agreement was reached to continue joint work in this area through special envoys to be appointed in the near future.
The sides agreed to resume communication channels to discuss other international issues, being mindful of Russia and the United States’ special responsibility in matters of peace and security as nuclear powers and permanent members of the UN Security Council. The interest in continuing joint work to prepare the meeting between the Russian and American presidents was confirmed.
During their stay in Riyadh, Sergey Lavrov and Yury Ushakov were welcomed by Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud.
They expressed gratitude for the excellent organisation of Russia-US talks. The participants discussed matters related to implementing the agreements on comprehensive expansion of bilateral relations reached by President Vladimir Putin and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
Rosatom starts discussing cooperation with Egypt in quantum technology area — CEO
The state corporation also offered a number of high-tech projects to the Egyptian side, in particular, in medicine
MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Rosatom has started discussing cooperation in the area of quantum technology with Egyptian scientists, Chief Executive Officer of the corporation Alexey Likhachev told TASS.
“We have started discussing possible cooperation in the area of quantum technology with Egyptian scientists. It is very interesting for us,” he said when commenting on results of the visit by Rosatom’s delegation to Egypt.
The state corporation has also offered a number of high-tech projects to the Egyptian side, in medicine for example, the chief executive added.
Russia’s grain exports expected at up to 57 mln tons this season — ministry
According to Oksana Lut, last year’s grain harvest is expected at 130 mln tons
MOSCOW, February 18. /TASS/. Russia’s grain exports are expected at 55-57 mln tons during this agriculture season (July 1, 2024 – June 30, 2025), the country’s Agriculture Ministry reported following the participation of Minister Oksana Lut in a plenary session of Global Grain and Pulses Forum 2025.
“Russia is expected to deliver 55-57 mln tons of grain to foreign markets during this season,” the report said.
Russia is traditionally one of global leaders in terms of grain production, the minister noted. In particular, last year’s grain harvest is expected at 130 mln tons, according to final calculations. “This fully meets domestic needs and allows export potential remaining high,” according to the report.
In 2024, domestic grain was supplied to 109 countries, the ministry noted, adding that the Middle East and Africa traditionally accounted for 70% of the volume. “The export geography is expanding as 11 new states joined cooperation, and seven more resumed trade with Russia,” according to the ministry.
OUTSIDE RUSSIA
Russian upper house speaker views talks with US in Riyadh as ‘positive signal’
However, in Valentina Matviyenko words, its is too early to talks about any results but the very fact that such talks negotiations began after the three-year absence of any dialogue “says much”
ADDIS ABABA, February 19. /TASS/. Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, Valentina Matviyenko has hailed the Russian-US talks in Saudi Arabia as a “good and positive signal” but warned against jumping at conclusions.
“The beginning of talks [between Russia and the United States] is a very good, very positive signal. <…> But I’d refrain from jumping at conclusions. A lot of hard, laborious and difficult work is to be done: first to clarify the two countries’ positions and approaches, and then to look for acceptable solutions to various problems,” she told reporters.
However, in her words, its is too early to talks about any results but the very fact that such talks negotiations began after the three-year absence of any dialogue “says much.” She noted that the phone call between the two countries’ leaders was followed by concrete actions.
In her words, she is convinced that both the United States and Russia understand the importance of cooperation to resolve global, geopolitical problems. “And no one can doubt this,” she added.
The Russian and US delegations held talks in Riyadh on February 18. The talks lasted for 4.5 hours. Russia was represented by Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov, and CEO of the Russian Direct Investment Fund (RDIF) Kirill Dmitriev. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, national security adviser Mike Waltz, and special envoy for the Middle East Stephen Witkoff represented the US side.
According to Ushakov, the delegations had a serious conversation on all the matters they had planned to discuss, including bringing the two countries’ positions closer together and contacts on Ukraine. The US Department of State said in turn that Lavrov and Rubio agreed to set up negotiating teams and cooperate on matters of mutual geopolitical interest. Both sides said after the talks that no date for a top-level Russia-US meeting has been agreed as of yet.
Russia, Iran discuss cooperation in energy, aircraft, car manufacturing
According to Alexey Overchuk, Iran is interested much in Russia’s aviation equipment
TEHRAN, February 18. /TASS/. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexey Overchuk has discussed cooperation in energy, aircraft manufacturing, and Russian car makers’ entry into the Iranian market at a meeting with President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian.
“We discussed cooperation in the energy sector, including the construction of a nuclear plant, continuation of the construction of a nuclear plant in Bushehr, issues of industrial cooperation in the area of aircraft manufacturing, joint development and creation of jet engines for passenger aircraft. Iran is interested much in Russia’s aviation equipment. Moreover, we discussed issues of Russian car manufacturers’ entry into the Iranian market,” Overchuk told reporters.
Russian upper house speaker arrives in Ethiopia for official visit
The Russian delegation was welcomed at Bole International Airport by Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Yevgeny Terekhina and speaker of Ethiopia’s upper parliament house Agegnehu Teshager
ADDIS ABABA, February 18. /TASS/. A delegation of Russia’s Federation Council, or upper house of parliament, led by its speaker Valentina Matviyenko has arrived in the Ethiopian capital city of Addis Ababa for an official visit.
The Russian delegation was welcomed at Bole International Airport by Russian Ambassador to Ethiopia Yevgeny Terekhina and speaker of Ethiopia’s upper parliament house, the House of Federation, Agegnehu Teshager.
“We are set to continue parliamentary cooperation. The leaders of our countries stay in touch, maintaining a trust-based, meaningful dialogue. They have outlined the agenda of Russian-Ethiopian relations for the short-term perspective. I think that we, lawmakers, must create conditions to ensure the implementation of all our agreements,” Matviyenko said as quoted by the Federation Council’s press service.
According to the press service, along with lawmakers, the Russian delegation includes representatives from 14 ministries, agencies, big companies, and research organizations.
SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE
Zelensky needs to be ‘brought to his senses’
Kiev needs to be reprimanded for attacking an internationally operated energy facility, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said
Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky needs to be “brought to his senses” and reprimanded in response to Kiev’s recent attack on a pumping station linked to a major international oil pipeline, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Tuesday.
In the early hours of Monday, several Ukrainian drones attacked the Kropotkinskaya station in southern Russia, a major part of the energy infrastructure object operated by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC).
Most of the crude pumped by the conglomerate’s pipeline system comes from oil fields in West Kazakhstan, with US companies controlling around 40% of supplies shipped from the facility.
This “latest tantrum” was essentially “an attack on Kazakhstan’s energy infrastructure,” Lavrov said during a press briefing following bilateral talks with the US diplomatic delegation in Riyadh. One can only guess why “someone in Kiev” gave the order, he added.
“But this should only strengthen everyone’s resolve that this cannot continue,” the diplomat stressed.
“Zelensky and his whole team need to be brought to their senses, given a slap on the wrist.”
According to Lavrov, US diplomats suggested putting a “moratorium” on strikes on energy infrastructure during Tuesday’s bilateral talks.
“We explained that we never jeopardized the systems which supply power for the population,” he said, adding that Russia only targeted “those objects that directly serve the Armed Forces of Ukraine.”
The diplomat praised the “highly productive” talks with the US side. “Not only did we listen, but we genuinely heard each other,” he said.
When asked by a journalist about attempts to “torpedo” the reestablished diplomatic contact between Moscow and Washington, Lavrov noted that to prevent this, relations need to be fine-tuned.
“That is what we did today. Frankly, not without success,” he said.
On top of agreeing to reestablish diplomatic ties, Russia and the US have agreed to build a framework towards reaching a settlement in the Ukraine conflict through negotiations, Lavrov said.
NATO troops in Ukraine unacceptable
Moscow views any Western forces in Ukraine as a provocative step, according to the Russian foreign minister
Moscow firmly rejects NATO troops being deployed in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Tuesday following high-level talks with US officials in Riyadh.
During the meeting in Saudi Arabia, Moscow and Washington agreed to initiate a process for resolving the conflict. Ukraine and the EU were absent at the meeting, with Kiev insisting it won’t recognize any outcome without its involvement.
Speaking to journalists after the talks, Lavrov emphasized that “the presence of armed forces from NATO countries, even under the EU flag or as part of national contingents, is completely unacceptable to us.”
The Russian Foreign Ministry had previously warned that Moscow views any European peacekeeping contingent in Ukraine as a provocative step that could further escalate the conflict.
Several senior EU leaders, most notably French President Emmanuel Macron, have been floating the idea of sending military personnel to Ukraine since at least last February.
Last week, US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth ruled out deploying American troops as part of potential security guarantees to Kiev.
Washington’s policy shift has prompted an emergency meeting of America’s European NATO allies, which was convened by Macron on Monday with the aim of establishing a unified EU stance. However, it has failed to yield any concrete results.
According to the Financial Times, there was a split among the EU countries, with Germany, Italy, Poland, and Spain expressing a reluctance to send peacekeepers to Ukraine.
German Chancellor Olaf Scholz later called for NATO unity but dismissed questions regarding his country’s potential troop commitments to Ukraine, calling them premature.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer, however, claimed during the Munich Security Conference this weekend that the UK is “ready and willing” to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, including sending British troops.
In January, Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky proposed the deployment of at least 200,000 foreign soldiers as peacekeepers in his country to enforce any potential peace agreement with Russia.
More recently, in an interview with American podcaster Lex Fridman, Zelensky said Ukraine had 980,000 military personnel in service. Last week, he stepped up his demands, telling Kiev’s western backers that the country needs an army of some 1.5 million soldiers – a move that would require a 50% increase in funding.
Moscow has repeatedly warned that “any contingent entering the territory of Ukraine without the consent and permission of Russia is a military target, with quite understandable consequences.”
INSIGHTS
Fyodor Lukyanov: The last battle of the Cold War just took place in Germany
The EU’s illusions have been shattered as the US moves on
This year’s Munich Security Conference attracted as much attention as it did 18 years ago. Back then, it was Vladimir Putin who caused an uproar; this time, it was US Vice President J.D. Vance. Though separated by nearly two decades, these two speeches share a critical theme: both challenged the transatlantic order built on the legacy of the Cold War. And in both instances, the Western establishment failed to offer a substantive response.
In 2007, Putin’s warning about NATO expansion and Western overreach was largely dismissed as the grievances of a declining power. A few voices urged caution, but the prevailing sentiment in Washington and Brussels was complacency — Russia, they believed, would ultimately fall in line. The consequences of that miscalculation are now plain for all to see.
Today, the US Vice President has thrown down a different kind of gauntlet. His speech signaled a deep ideological rift within the West itself, one that Western European leaders seem unprepared to confront. In response, French President Emmanuel Macron has called for an emergency summit to establish a common position. But is the EU truly grasping the scale of the challenge? The early reactions suggest not. There remains a hope, however misguided, that this storm can simply be waited out.
Retaliation, Ideology, and a Changing World Order
There are several explanations for Vance’s remarks in Munich. The most immediate is payback. Western European leaders have spent years openly disparaging Trump and his allies, assuming they could do so without consequence. Now that Trump is back, they are facing the reality that their words have not been forgotten.
But there is a deeper ideological divergence at play. In many ways, Vance’s critique of Europe echoes the grievances that led the settlers of the New World to break from the Old World centuries ago: tyranny, hypocrisy, and parasitism. He and others, like Elon Musk, are unapologetic about interfering in European affairs — something liberal ideologues have long justified in the name of promoting democracy. Now, the debate over what democracy truly means has expanded beyond the US to the entire transatlantic alliance. This ideological struggle will shape the West’s trajectory in the coming decades.
The third and most significant factor behind Vance’s speech is the broader transformation of global power dynamics. The world has changed. While it is still too early to define the new order fully, one thing is clear: the old ways no longer work. Demographics, economic shifts, technological competition, and military realignments are all reshaping the global balance.
At the heart of this transformation is a key question for the West: Should it finally end the Cold War as it was defined in the 20th century, or should it continue the struggle under new conditions? Western Europe’s answer, so far, has been to cling to the confrontation — largely because it has failed to integrate former adversaries in a way that secures its own future. The US, however, is increasingly signaling a willingness to move on. This shift is not unique to Trump; every American president since George W. Bush has, to varying degrees, deprioritized Europe in favor of other regions. Trump has merely been the most explicit about it.
Western Europe’s Dilemma: Clinging to the Past or Facing the Future
What will Western Europe do in response? For now, it appears committed to preserving the ideological and geopolitical framework of the Cold War. This is not just about security; it is about preserving its own relevance. The EU is a product of the liberal world order, and it requires a defined adversary to justify its cohesion. A familiar enemy — Russia — serves this purpose far better than an unfamiliar one like China.
From this perspective, it is logical to assume that some may even seek to escalate tensions to a point where the US has no choice but to intervene. Whether the bloc is actually capable of provoking such a crisis is another question entirely.
For the US, the situation is more complex. On one hand, moving beyond the old Cold War framework would allow Washington to focus on what it sees as the real challenges of the future — China, the Pacific, North America, the Arctic, and, to a lesser extent, the Middle East. Western Europe has little to offer in these theaters. On the other hand, completely abandoning the continent is not on the cards. Trump is not an isolationist; he simply envisions a different model of empire — one where the US extracts more benefits and assumes fewer burdens.
Vance’s call for Western Europe to “fix its democracy” should be understood in this context. It is not about spreading democracy in the traditional sense, but about improving governance in what the US increasingly sees as a dysfunctional province. In fact, Vance’s stance on European sovereignty is arguably even more dismissive than that of his liberal predecessors, who at least paid lip service to transatlantic unity.
The Last Battle of the Cold War?
Vance’s speech in Munich was not just another rhetorical salvo in the US-Europe dispute. It was a milestone in the evolution of Atlanticist thought. For decades, the transatlantic alliance has operated on the assumption that the Cold War never truly ended. Now, the central question is whether to finally put an end to it and start a new one on different terms.
The EU’s current strategy — preserving confrontation with Russia as a means of securing its own coherence — may not be sustainable in the long run. If the US steps back and prioritizes its own interests elsewhere, Brussels will have to reassess its position. Will it continue to rely on a Cold War-era framework that no longer fits the modern world, or will it finally acknowledge the shift and adapt accordingly?
For now, the transatlantic divide is widening. The choices made in the coming months will determine whether this rift leads to a permanent fracture — or the beginning of a new geopolitical order where Western Europe finally learns to stand on its own.
This article was first published by the newspaper Rossiyskaya Gazeta and has been translated and edited by the RT team
