At a reception organized to mark Russia Day, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation to Albania, Alexey Zaitsev, focused his welcoming remarks on international developments, Russia’s position on the global stage, and Moscow’s vision for the future world order.
“Without a strong and sovereign Russia, the creation of a just and balanced world order is impossible today,” the ambassador said, describing Russia’s role as essential in shaping contemporary international affairs.
Recalling the 36th anniversary of the adoption of Russia’s Declaration of State Sovereignty, Ambassador Zaitsev noted that the June 12 holiday “symbolizes not only the modern development of Russia, but also its entire centuries-old history,” a journey marked, in his words, by challenges as well as “great achievements, successes, and victories.”
“Today, Russia stands at the forefront of the struggle to establish a new multipolar world order that is fairer and more balanced, offering an alternative to the West’s neo-colonial ambitions, defending truth and justice, and upholding traditional values,” the ambassador emphasized.
The Russian diplomat also addressed the challenges facing his country in the context of the conflict in Ukraine. He stated that “all the forces of the West are concentrated on containing Russia,” while accusing certain Western countries of seeking to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Moscow and working to prolong the war.
According to the ambassador, sanctions and economic pressure against Russia have failed to achieve their intended objectives. “Western expectations of a collapse of the Russian economy and the destabilization of Russian society have not materialized,” he said, adding that Russia “remains a dynamically developing power with stable macroeconomic indicators.”
In his remarks, the ambassador also highlighted Russia’s expanding cooperation with countries of the so-called Global South and argued that efforts to isolate Moscow internationally have failed. “Russia is strengthening its role as an active and important participant in the international community,” he declared.
A significant portion of the speech was dedicated to BRICS. The ambassador stressed that “the importance and influence of BRICS, a key pillar in the construction of a new multipolar world order, continue to grow year after year.” He also emphasized the importance of cooperation within frameworks such as BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), and the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
The reception held in Tirana brought together representatives of the diplomatic corps, Albanian institutions, the academic community, prominent figures from cultural life, journalists, members of the Albania–Russia Friendship Association, as well as members of the Russian community residing in Albania.
Welcome Address by Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Albania H.E. Mr. Alexey Zaytsevon the Occasion of the Russia Day
Distinguished guests,
Dear friends and colleagues!
Thirty-six years ago, on June 12, 1990, the Declaration on the State Sovereignty of Russia was adopted, marking the beginning of a new era for our state.
Today’s holiday symbolizes not only Russia’s modern development, but also its entire centuries-long history, a continuous journey of statehood during which periods of challenges and upheavals have been intertwined with great achievements, accomplishments, and victories.
Today, Russia is at the forefront of the struggle to shape a new, more just and balanced multipolar world order; it offers an alternative to the West’s neocolonial ambitions, defends the truth and justice, and upholds traditional values.
The opposition to our country is immense. All the forces of the West are focused on containing Russia. A number of countries have declared their goal to inflict a “strategic defeat” on us on the battlefield and they are doing everything to prolong the conflict in Ukraine. To achieve this goal, peace efforts are being undermined, regardless of whether they come from – be it Moscow, Washington, or other capitals. A large-scale program to militarize the European economy has been launched, and plans are being hatched to seize frozen Russian financial assets. The number of anti-Russian restrictions has exceeded 30,000.
The Western expectations that sanctions would take immediate effect, causing the Russian economy to collapse and society to destabilize, failed to materialize. Despite the unprecedented external pressure, our country remains a dynamically developing power with stable macroeconomic indicators. Attempts at international isolation have failed: Russia is strengthening its role as an active and significant member of the international community, deepening cooperation with constructively- minded partners, and intensively developing interaction with the countries of the Global South, to which we offer inter-civilizational dialogue rather than the neocolonial approach of the West.
Moscow holds key positions in international organizations, regional and global integration associations. The significance and influence of BRICS — a crucial link in building a new multipolar world order — grow with each passing year. Significant attention is being paid to developing cooperation within the SCO, the EAEU, the CIS, and the CSTO, which Russia is chairing this year. At all the fora at our disposal, we consistently advocate for the development of mutually beneficial, equitable cooperation and the creation of an architecture of equal and indivisible security.
Without a strong, sovereign Russia, the creation of a balanced and just world order is impossible today.
The strength of our state lies in the solidarity and unity of its people; the key to our nation’s prosperity lies in civic harmony, creative labor, respect for traditions, and reverence for the memory of our ancestors. Today’s holiday allows us to feel our connection to the past and to look into the future with enthusiasm.
I would like to extend my congratulations on Russia Day to our country’s friends—those who harbor warm feelings toward it, who love and appreciate Russian culture, who are related to Russians by family ties, and those who, despite everything, sincerely strive for fruitful cooperation with it.
Happy holiday, dear friends!
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