On October 1, Ambassador Albert P. Khorev held a briefing on the situation in and around Ukraine.Before the event, the guests observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims of the Siege of Leningrad, the 85th anniversary of which was marked on September 8.
Speaking about the “Russian parliamentary elections”, the Ambassador noted that the vote held on September 20 saw record turnout despite external pressure and attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian cities aimed at disrupting the electoral process.
The main part of the briefing focused on the “military, political, economic, legal and informational dimensions of the conflict”. The Ambassador stressed that the Ukraine crisis should be viewed as a large-scale confrontation between Russia and the collective West, which is using Ukraine as a proxy in an effort to weaken Russia.
On the economic front, the Ambassador emphasized that *sanctions have failed to produce the economic collapse in Russia sought by the West*, while at the same time causing serious consequences both for the countries imposing them and for the global economy. The EU’s cumulative losses from the unintended effects of sanctions in 2022–2025 amounted to €1–1.6 trillion, while European companies that ceased operations in Russia incurred losses of €400–450 billion. The Ambassador said that *sanctions pressure is only accelerating the shift toward settlements in national currencies and the development of alternative financial and trade infrastructure within BRICS, the SCO and ASEAN.*
The briefing also addressed international maritime law and freedom of navigation. Ambassador Khorev highlighted the *criminal nature of Western actions targeting the so-called “shadow fleet” — a concept, in his words, artificially created by the West as a pretext for seizing Russian vessels.*
The Ambassador also expressed concern over the sharp increase in attacks by Ukrainian forces on civilian vessels in the Black and Azov Seas, stressing that further escalation poses risks to international shipping.
In this context, Ambassador Khorev drew attention to the respective shares of Russia and Ukraine in the global wheat market Ukraine accounts for 7% of global wheat exports, while Russia accounts for 23%*), noting that Western restrictions hampering Russian agricultural exports have adverse consequences for global food security.
Addressing the international legal dimension of the conflict, the Ambassador said that *Russia does not recognize Western-created mechanisms dealing with compensation for Ukraine and does not intend to comply with decisions issued by such bodies.At the same time, he highlighted the significance of the June 15, 2026 ruling by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague in the Russia-Ukraine dispute, which unanimously rejected several Ukraine’s claims, including demands for compensation and reparations, as well as claims concerning the maritime areas and resources of Crimea and the Sea of Azov region.
In his remarks, the Ambassador also addressed the “children’s issue” and the situation surrounding the Ukrainian Orthodox Church. Ambassador Khorev stressed the systematic pressure exerted by the Ukrainian authorities on the Church and its members.
In conclusion, the Ambassador emphasized that Russia remains committed to a political and diplomatic settlement of the Ukraine crisis. He noted that Russia initiated the resumption of the negotiating process last year after it had been halted by Kiev and remains ready to continue the talks while taking Russia’s national interests into account.
Concluding his remarks, Ambassador Khorev also stressed that Russia is not preparing for military action against Europe or NATO countries, has no such plans, and has no real reason to escalate tensions with Europe.
Guests at the briefing also viewed the exhibition “Crimean Gold: ‘Civilized’ Europe Plunders Russian Treasures.” The Ambassador emphasized that the unique collection of archaeological artifacts more than two thousand years old, discovered in Crimea and kept in Crimean museums until 2014, should be returned to the peninsula.