Our Christmas is Ordinary Work Day for Putin, Lavrov & Team

Meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in an expanded format.

Monday the 25th was a very full day indeed that began on the deck of a new frigate Admiral Golovko at the Severnaya Verf shipyard in St Petersburg in the dark and cold where Putin delivered remarks about Russia’s Navy and what is planned for it to soon receive:

Vladimir Putin: Dear comrades,

I welcome you and congratulate you on a big and important event. Today, here at the Northern Shipyards, just like two weeks ago in Severodvinsk, our newest warships are flying naval flags. The Navy consists of the Admiral Golovko frigate, the Naro-Fominsk small missile ship, and the Lev Chernavin minesweeper. In accordance with the Naval Doctrine, we continue to work on mass production and planned deliveries of modern ships to the Navy.

"Admiral Golovko" is also a serial frigate. Such ships are the basis of the fleet's strike groups in the far sea and ocean zone. It was created using the most advanced technologies and is equipped with Kalibr cruise missiles, which have proven their high effectiveness in combat conditions.

Naro-Fominsk is also one of the most successful projects of attack missile ships of its class. Such ships have earned military glory, strike long-range cruise missiles, at one time – from the Caspian Sea to the positions of militants in Syria, and today they successfully perform tasks during a special military operation.

Finally, the Lev Chernavin is a modern minesweeper with a unique hull. Decisions have already been made on the construction of ten more such ships.

The introduction of the latest ships into the fleet is another evidence that our shipbuilding industry is on the rise and is now entering the rhythmic, mass production of warships of different classes. This is the most important and fundamental step in the revival and development of our shipbuilding industry.

Currently, five frigates, eight corvettes, thirteen small rocket ships and more than fifty other ships of various classes are in various stages of readiness on the stocks and embankments of Russian shipyards. I will mention only the main orders.

So, I have already noted that in Severodvinsk at Sevmash in the next three years it is planned to build three nuclear-powered submarines " Borey-A "and five multi-purpose nuclear submarines "Yasen-M".

Admiralty Shipyards in St. Petersburg are currently building six diesel submarines. An order has been placed for the construction of patrol ships in the Arctic zone, including for ensuring the safety of navigation on the Northern Sea Route.

Here, at Severnaya Verf, new frigates are being mass-built. From next year to 2035, it is planned to build a series of small and medium-displacement corvettes.

Small missile and patrol ships are being built at the Zelenodolsk plant in Tatarstan. And at the shipyard in Kerch – two universal landing ships of a new project and small missile ships for the Black Sea Fleet.

Two large amphibious assault ships are also being built at the Yantar shipyard in Kaliningrad. In the period up to 2035, this series is planned to increase and produce seven more ships.

Three small missile ships for the Baltic Fleet are being completed on the stocks of the Pella plant in the Leningrad Region, and sea minesweepers are being built at the Sredne-Nevsky Shipyard.

In the Far East, in the Khabarovsk Territory, the Amur Shipyard has already placed orders for the production of six corvettes, as well as four small rocket ships. The possibility of building a series of frigates there is also being considered.

Such systematic work will ensure the sustainable development of the industry's enterprises and their related companies, which means additional investments in the regional economy, new jobs and advanced technologies, including for civil shipbuilding.

We will definitely implement all our plans for the construction of ships, and we will qualitatively strengthen Russia's maritime power in all strategic areas and in the regions of the World Ocean.

In the near future, the Admiral Golovko frigate will join the Northern Fleet, and the Naro-Fominsk small missile ship and the Lev Chernavin minesweeper will serve in the Baltic Fleet, protecting our western borders.

I would like to congratulate the military seamen and shipbuilders on today's event, thank the work collectives of enterprises for their professionalism and high dedication, and wish the crews of the ships a worthy service for the benefit of Russia. And of course, in the old Navy tradition, I wish you seven feet under the keel!

I counted 90 vessels of all types now in the process of being constructed with more to follow. Of course, the Navy will need more men to man those ships, which will be a significant portion of those now enlisting into Russia’s military. As Putin noted, the building plan will also stimulate the overall economy and provide the order base for the new shipyards that are being constructed. You’ll have noted the emphasis on missile launch capabilities for even the smallest class of vessels.

After the ceremony, Putin met with Shoigu in the frigate’s wardroom where they had the following short discussion:

Sergei : Mr President, in the course of our active offensive operations, the assault detachments of the Yuzhnaya group have completely liberated the village of Marinka, five kilometers southwest of Donetsk. For nine years, the armed forces of Ukraine have built a powerful fortified area there, which was connected by underground passages, and in fact, each street has its own well-fortified and fairly well protected from all attacks from both air and field artillery, long-term firing points, and a complex system of underground communications.

Thanks to the decisive actions of our servicemen, the fortified area was breached. And in fact, taking into account the fact that there are still more than three thousand houses there, and each house was a well-fortified point, the liberation of this locality, of course, reduces the capabilities of the armed forces of Ukraine for defense and gives us additional opportunities for further actions in this direction.

What is also important, we have quite significantly moved the work of artillery from Donetsk further to the west. And this makes it possible to protect Donetsk from strikes more effectively today.

During the offensive operations, servicemen of the 5th Brigade and the 1st Army Corps made a significant contribution to the liberation of the city. The soldiers of the legendary 150th motorized rifle Idritsko-Berlin Order of Kutuzov division of the Southern Military District especially distinguished themselves. By the way, this division took the Reichstag historically, this name passed to it. In this regard, those who actually passed this section from December 1 were particularly distinguished. (He points to the map.) And this is for the last week. Commanders and officers distinguished themselves.

Vladimir Putin: We've been active since June, haven't we?

Sergei Shoigu: Yes. But the length of these streets is quite large – more than three thousand houses. I consider it possible to offer you, Mr Putin, to award state awards to those who were most active in the fighting and distinguished themselves during the capture of Marinka.

Vladimir Putin: Well

Sergey Kuzhugetovich, first of all, I want to congratulate you. This is a success.

The second and most important thing is to convey your warmest congratulations and words of gratitude to all the personnel, to all the servicemen who took part, and at different times, at different stages, in the battles to liberate Marinka.

Indeed, there are at least two positive effects here. The first is that we are moving the enemy's combat units away from Donetsk. And secondly, by breaking into this fortified area, which the enemy has been building since 2014, in fact, built a significant number of reinforced concrete fortifications and communication passages there, by breaking into this fortified area, our troops are able to reach a wider operational space. This is, of course, a matter for local commanders, specialists of the General Staff and the Ministry of Defense, but it is a separate issue. But, in any case, such an opportunity appears on this site.

I know that our servicemen fought with the highest degree of dignity and, of course, deserve state awards. Please make suggestions for all the people you think are the most distinguished.

But there are commanders and fighters who are already known. All commanders understand how they fought. One of them is Troshin Alexander Konstantinovich, he is the commander of the tank battalion, right?

Sergei Shoigu: Yes, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: And he's a senior lieutenant?

Sergei Shoigu: Yes, a senior lieutenant in a lieutenant colonel's position.

Vladimir Putin: What are your suggestions?

Sergei Shoigu: Mr Putin, I am giving him the rank of captain ahead of schedule. Although it is difficult to say" ahead of schedule", he has been fighting for a long time, fighting successfully. But we can't do anything else, because there is a Presidential decree, and the next rank that he is entitled to is captain.

Although, once again, he [serves] as a lieutenant colonel, is fighting successfully, has been fighting for a long time, in fact, since the beginning of a special military operation. And of course, the man who, after being dismissed, came as a volunteer in April last year, insisted that he be included not as a graduate of the Kazan Tank School and a former officer, but as a fighter… And today he is in the position of a battalion commander. That is why we have made this decision, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: Well I know that the Regulations on military service do not allow you to jump one step at a time, but this Provision is approved by a Presidential Decree, so the President has the right to correct this Provision, this Decree. I'm asking you to make a proposal to give him the rank of Major.

Sergei Shoigu: Thank you, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: He deserved it. He burned three times in a tank, has seven concussions, one shrapnel wound. When the tanks, his tanks, were hit, he saved the crew, his comrades-in-arms, saved the equipment, and he succeeded. He fought with dignity. He himself destroyed five tanks and 23 armored vehicles of various classes. I won't talk about other achievements, but this is a visible result.

And in the end, while leading assault groups, he repeatedly led assault groups, and went out to solve the problem that you have just reported on. It is clear that it is not only him, there were many of our guys who fought with dignity. They are all good examples of warriors, Russian fighters. I know that Troshin signed a contract for 10 years.

Sergei Shoigu: Yes, Mr Putin.

Vladimir Putin: He wants to be a professional soldier. We have a lot of such people, and they need to be supported. That's what we're going to do.

Well, we will talk about further plans separately. I spoke with the Chief of the General Staff today. This is a separate topic, so we'll consult you on what to do next.

Congratulations!

Sergei Shoigu: Thank you, Mr Putin.

We’d all like to know what Putin and Gerasimov talked about that Putin would then discuss with Shoigu. IMO, it’s certainly not about plans for negotiations and such, but for what will happen once the main FEBA is broached likely by the end of January. Yes, that is a map that Shoigu is pointing out points to Putin on likely related to the Marinka region. That special permission is required for a jump in rank over the norm is interesting. IMO, the new Major is lucky to be alive.

Meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in a narrow format.

Next up was the meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council whose President for 2023 was Russia. First were the discussions in the narrow format, which “summed up results of the SEEC's work in the year of Russia's chairmanship, and promising areas of deepening the integration processes were discussed.” Putin also delivered a short speech before the doors were closed:

Vladimir Putin: Dear colleagues, good afternoon!

As agreed, we are meeting in St. Petersburg today, and I am glad to welcome you all.

We have a busy agenda. After we hold a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in a narrow format, we will continue to work in a broader format – with the participation of delegations.

Today we will consider a number of important, fundamental, I would say, issues related to the deepening of Eurasian integration. In particular, the draft declaration on the further development of economic processes within our association for the period up to 2030 and for the future up to 2045, prepared at the initiative of the Russian side, will be approved. In fact, this is a new policy document that provides for specific measures to enhance joint efforts in key sectors, as well as defines additional areas of interaction, such as the climate agenda, medicine, tourism and some others.

I would like to emphasize that Governments, departments and experts from all member states actively participated in the development of the declaration. I hope that you and I will approve the declaration by a corresponding decision of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council.

I would like to emphasize that a free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Community and Iran was signed on the eve of our meeting. This agreement can be really important in the context of strengthening the ties of the Eurasian Union with one of the largest and technologically advanced economies in the Eurasian region.

After the agreement enters into force, virtually all categories of goods produced in the union will have duty – free access to the vast Iranian market – 90 million people-and non-tariff barriers will be significantly reduced.

The business circles of our countries, which actively trade with their Iranian partners, are interested in this, and now the conditions for such commercial cooperation will be significantly improved.

It is also obvious that the liberalization of trade with Iran will give a good additional impetus to the development of the transport and logistics system connecting all our states, transport and logistics routes, such as the North–South international corridor. It will create prerequisites for increasing scientific and industrial cooperation, tourist and delegation exchanges, and people-to-people contacts.

During today's meeting, we will also have to make personnel decisions, first of all, approve the new chairman and some members of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission. Taking into account the priority principle, the position of the Chairman of the Board is transferred from February 1, 2024 to the representative of the Republic of Kazakhstan. Our Kazakh friends will officially propose the appropriate candidate today.

Due to the expiration of the term of office of a number of judges of the Eurasec Court, the new composition of this body has also been submitted for our approval, which should start working on January 1, 2024.

Naturally, the agenda also includes a whole range of other specific issues of economic cooperation, customs and tariff regulation, investment policy, and the functioning of the common markets of the Eurasian Economic Community. Our colleagues will be able to comment on all the problems of our Union's activities that concern them.

In general, speaking about cooperation within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community, I would like to state with satisfaction that it is progressing very successfully and dynamically, contributing to a more complete disclosure of the economic potential of our states. We cooperate on the principles of mutual benefit, respect and consideration of each other's interests. The Eurasian Union has been operating for at least 10 years, and during this time the volume of mutual trade has almost doubled, and the total GDP of the Eurasec countries has grown from 1.6 to 2.5 trillion dollars. Large-scale single markets for goods, services, capital, and labor resources operating under agreed rules have been created. And most importantly, the Eurasian Union has been established as an authoritative international integration association with an effective structure and a good base, whose work directly contributes to improving the well-being and quality of life of our citizens.

The meeting then moved to the expanded format where Putin gave a somewhat longer speech to those assembled:

Vladimir Putin: Dear colleagues and friends, good afternoon!

I am happy to welcome you all.

We have just had a narrow-format conversation.

First, I would like to welcome the Minister of Industry, Mines and Trade of the Islamic Republic of Iran, Mr. Abbas Aliabadi. I will say something else in my speech, and I would like to note that we mentioned in a narrow format that an agreement on cooperation and a free trade zone between the Eurasian Economic Community and the Republic of Iran was signed today. I think that this is a very good step forward.

As I have already said, we have just concluded a meeting of the Supreme Eurasian Economic Council in a narrow format, exchanged views on important aspects of our association's activities, and outlined strategic prospects for deepening integration cooperation. In particular, we discussed the adoption of a declaration on the further development of economic processes within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union until 2030 and for the period up to 2045. This idea was supported, all members of the Supreme Council agreed to approve the declaration, and we will formalize the corresponding decision following our meeting.

In fact, the declaration is a new programmatic document that provides for steps to increase joint efforts in key sectors, as well as defines additional areas of interaction.

Our ministers of the economic bloc, experts and specialized specialists worked well to coordinate the text of the declaration. The document embodies the vision of all five countries of the Union, how further Eurasian integration should develop, fully reflects the opinions and interests of each of the Eurasec members and seems very sound.

The meeting in a narrow format summed up the main results of the Eurasian Union's activities during the Russian presidency, which will end on December 31, and the Russian side is certainly grateful to all the partners in the association for constructive joint work, including in implementing the priorities of our presidency. Cooperation within the Union continues to develop dynamically and successfully in all key areas of integration development, even despite the well-known difficulties associated with the difficult international external situation.

We are pleased to note that this year all the member countries of the association have recorded stable economic growth. So, in Russia, GDP grew by three percent in the first three quarters, and by the end of the year it is expected to grow by 3.5 percent. The increase in gross product, and a very significant one at that, is also observed in other Eurasec countries. As far as I know, in nine months it will be more than nine percent in Armenia, which is a very good indicator; in Kazakhstan-almost five, right, Kassym-Jomart Kemelevich?

K.-Zh.Tokayev: Yes.

Vladimir Putin: Excellent.

In Kyrgyzstan-more than four percent, and in Belarus, as well as in Russia – 3.5.

Industrial production in the Eurasian Economic Community increased by 3.5 percent. The construction industry grew by 9.3 percent. Importantly, the number of unemployed people in the Eurasian Union as a whole has decreased by 14.2 percent, while in Russia unemployment is generally at the lowest historical level – less than three percent, 2.9.

According to available data, trade between the five countries grew by 8.9 percent in the first nine months of this year. At the same time, its structure is improving, the supply of finished high-tech products is increasing, while the raw material component is decreasing.

It is important that the share of national currencies in mutual settlements exceeded 90 percent. And this indicator will undoubtedly continue to grow in the future, taking into account the joint measures taken by our countries in the financial sector.

The Group of five's preferential foreign trade partners is being systematically expanded. Today, as I mentioned at the beginning, the signing ceremony of the free trade agreement between the Eurasian Economic Community and Iran took place. I would like to congratulate all of us and the present Iranian Minister of Industry and Trade, Mr. Aliabadi, on the completion of this strategic document.

The Islamic Republic of Iran is one of the largest economies in the Eurasian region, a technologically advanced state and a key link in the southern trade route between the markets of the Eurasian Economic Community and the countries of the Middle East and South Asia. Therefore, strengthening ties with this country will bring obvious benefits both to all members of our association and to the Islamic Republic of Iran itself.

As you know, the temporary trade agreement of the Eurasian Economic Community with Iran, which has been in force since 2019, allowed to double the counter-trade turnover, although it covered only a small list of commodity items. In accordance with the agreement signed today, tariff benefits will be extended to more than 85 percent of the product range and over 90 percent of the current trade volumes of our countries with the Islamic Republic of Iran. We look forward to the prompt implementation of the relevant ratification procedures by all Member States.

Let me remind you that important agreements are currently being prepared with other countries with great economic potential. We are talking about a preferential agreement between the Eurasian Economic Community and Egypt, one of our key partners in the Arab world and on the African continent, with which the countries of the Eurasian Union have close relations and intensive trade and economic contacts. Work on the draft free trade agreement with Egypt is at a very advanced stage. And we are certainly interested in signing it as soon as possible.

In addition, the Eurasian Commission is negotiating with the United Arab Emirates and Indonesia. The formation of free trade zones with these countries will further increase the export potential of the Eurasian Economic Community, increase mutual supplies to the markets of friendly states, and thereby give an additional impetus to the development of the union's economies, will expand and diversify our common market.

In general, with the growing authority and economic weight of the Eurasian Economic Community, more and more countries and international organizations are expressing interest in establishing mutually beneficial contacts with the "five". We have already established close cooperation with such major regional organizations as the Shanghai Cooperation Organization and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.

The work on linking integration processes between the Eurasian Economic Community and China's Belt and Road initiative also brings real benefits.

Returning to cooperation directly within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Community, I would like to emphasize that a number of important decisions were taken this year in the areas of industrial cooperation, localization of production, and deepening cooperation in the field of agriculture and food security.

Let me remind you, in particular, that at the Eurasec summit in Moscow in May, we approved the launch of a special financing mechanism that provides special benefits for economic projects involving three or more member countries of the union.

This year, the rules for mutual trade in electricity on the common market were also approved and the Council of Heads of Bodies of the Eurasec Member States in the energy sector began its work. As a result of our meeting, we will approve a decision on granting this Council additional control powers.

Intensive work continues on the development of the unified transport system of the Eurasian Union, including the North-South international corridor. In this sense, I would like to return to our cooperation with the Islamic Republic of Iran, which has key positions here.

Cooperation in the field of science and technology has been intensified, and the technological sovereignty of the Eurasec states is being consistently strengthened. The digital agenda is being promoted through joint efforts of our countries, including the creation and successful development of an integration information system, common data exchange standards and digital commerce rules.

Another step forward in this direction will be the signing today of the protocol on amendments to the Treaty on the Customs Code of the Eurasian Economic Community in terms of regulating external electronic commerce.

Naturally, the agenda of the current meeting of the Supreme Council includes other important issues of integration cooperation, including coordination of macroeconomic policies, removal of remaining restrictions and barriers in mutual trade, improvement of anti-dumping mechanisms, development of a common market for services, and convergence of legal regulation in the sphere of natural monopolies. The relevant agreements have already been agreed upon and will be formalized by our decisions today.

Dear friends!

Starting from January 1, Russia will transfer the chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Community to Armenia. I would like to wish success to our Armenian colleagues and friends. Of course, we will provide them with all the necessary assistance.

As we have repeatedly noted, next year marks the tenth anniversary of the conclusion of the fundamental treaty in the Eurasian Economic Community. And we have now agreed in a narrow format, given that this is an anniversary event, and we all agreed with my proposal to hold a summit dedicated to this anniversary in Moscow in May 2024.

This summit will usher in a new decade of working closely together to deepen integration, improve the well-being and quality of life of our citizens. The long-term declaration on the further development of economic processes within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union until 2030 and for the period up to 2045, which is being adopted today, sets clear guidelines in this regard.

I would also like to add that draft decisions on updating the composition of the Board of the Eurasian Economic Commission and the Eurasec Court have been prepared for our meeting. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the current members of the Board, the judges, and especially the Chairman of the Board, Mikhail Vladimirovich Myasnikovich, for their significant contribution to the development of the Eurasian Economic Union. They really did a lot to make the commission work rhythmically and efficiently.

I would also like to welcome Mr. Sagintayev, who will assume the post of head of the Board starting from February 1, 2024 – we know him very well – who has already worked as a member of the EEC and, I am sure, will take up his new duties energetically and without any buildup. He also worked in the Administration of the President of Kazakhstan and was the Prime Minister of Kazakhstan.

Of course, I wish success to all the new members of the Board of the Eurasian Commission and the Eurasec Court.

Let me give the floor to Nikol Vovaevich Pashinyan, and then other participants of the summit will speak.

In addition, we will watch a video message from the President of the Republic of Cuba, Miguel Diaz-Canel Bermudez, as the head of the Eurasec observer State. After that, we will hear the report of Mikhail Vladimirovich Myasnikovich and sign and approve the prepared projects.

Thank you for your attention. [My Emphasis]

It’s not quite the same as knitting the former Soviet Union together as some members are missing, but it’s clear what’s occurring. IMO, the new set of relationships allows for more dynamism between its members as everything isn’t coming down from one center as it was before. And then there’s the integration with other organizations. The difficulty of organizing a FTA with China is well known because of its great complexity and the same might be true with ASEAN, so arrangements with both will likely be somewhat different. There was a long roster of 22 documents that were arrived at and signed but for which no links are yet available, including the #1 doc, “Declaration on the Further Development of Economic Processes and Economic Path within the Framework of the Eurasian Economic Union until 2030 and for the period up to 2045." I would like to see more Eurasian nations joining the original five. That Armenia remains is a very good clue that its pro-Western movements are feints as the EAEU certainly helped it to attain 9% GDP growth, which would make leaving EAEU very foolish, although I’m sure Armenia’s behavior will be watched closely.

And the last event you’ll read actually took place on the 24th, Lavrov’s short five minute interview with NTV’s Itogi Nedeli program:

Question: Philosophical question: Yesterday you repeated "justice, a just solution to the crisis, a just multipolar world order, etc." Right now, the Global South is staring at us. What form of justice do we offer them? What do we fill them with to make it clear?

Sergey Lavrov: I think that any normal person or politician who sees injustice immediately understands what it is. And he understands when issues are resolved fairly. This means on the basis of a balance of interests and the key principle of the UN Charter on the need to respect the sovereign equality of all states (large and small). Since the creation of the United Nations, not a single action by the West, especially by the United States, has been consistent with this key principle of the sovereign equality of all states.

The Arab world is not only watching closely, but also working closely with us. The atmosphere in Marrakech at the meeting of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum and the talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs, Migration and Tunisians Abroad Nasnik Ammar and the meeting with President of the Republic of Tunisia Christopher Saied showed that this is not just an observation. This is the desire to actively cooperate both bilaterally, developing the economy and mutual investments, and in the international arena. And not just to coordinate on individual aspects, but on fundamental issues of the future world order.

In this context, justice will mean equal rights for all States and structures established in different regions. The League of Arab States, the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf, the African Union, CELAC, as well as numerous subregional structures in Africa and Latin America. In Eurasia – the EAEU, the SCO, and ASEAN. Close contacts have been established between them, including the One Belt, One Road project.

Integration processes evolve from life. Unlike some plans of Western countries, we do not want to build artificial schemes, but to allow these objective tendencies to interact with each other, because there are many overlapping areas in which integration processes are developing. Here, the division of labor on a fair basis – mutual benefit for all participants – will lead us to what will eventually take the shape of a multipolar world.

Question: Why didn't you mention BRICS?

Sergey Lavrov: I didn't mention it, because BRICS is an obvious thing. I have listed the organizations that are emerging at the regional level. BRICS is not an organization, but an association. I don't think anyone has any interest in turning it into a real organization with a secretariat. This is not necessary, at least at this stage, in the relatively long term.

BRICS is a symbol and the desire of the global majority to develop their initiatives together, taking into account each other's interests on an equal footing. It is a future umbrella over all subregional and regional processes. This association already includes the countries of Eurasia, Africa, Latin America and the Arab world. This is the future.

In the West, there are no organizations where there are fair rules in the sense of equality and genuine consensus. And not the kind that the European Union demonstrated, when it asked Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban to come out for a "cup of coffee" when they needed to decide something on Ukraine. In NATO, there is stick discipline. Probably, one day the West will mature to the understanding that these processes are unstoppable and that it is the craving for real justice that determines the increased self-consciousness of the World Majority – the Global South and the Global East. We are part of this process. [My Emphasis]

There were a few far-sighted, fair-minded Westerners who negotiated the UN Charter and founded that organization toward WW2’s end, which was almost immediately upended by a different cast of Westerners having the same mindset as the Nazis and Colonialists—to gain all they can through Plunder. The Global Majority never had the weight to stop that behavior and resume the path initially begun in 1945 and prior to that Humanity’s quest to attain the Four Freedoms. Now in the aftermath of what was deemed a pandemic where the Western nations displayed their worst behavior to the Rest of the World, that group of nations has gathered together to make certain that will never happen that way again. Yes, other events have contributed to the growth of solidarity that with the Genocide in Palestine has now defined the two sides very well as displayed by the UNGA vote for an immediate ceasefire, 153-20.

In Russia, the major celebration has always been New Year with Father Frost being the main mythical being while Orthodox Christmas was always more spiritual and resisted being coopted by commercialism for many decades ironically thanks to the Soviets. The future of the Christian Church lies in its past—it’s genuine past, not the one contrived for the Roman establishment. IMO, that’s another aspect of the SMO and proxy war being waged on Russia and Serbia by NATO that doesn’t get discussed much. Of course, that will bring Metaphysical controversy with it. But that will need to be a different essay for future discussion.