Putin to Brief Foreign Envoys on Moscow’s Foreign Policy

Russian President Vladimir Putin is set to meet and address a number of foreign ambassadors on Thursday, according to his spokesperson.

Russian state media RIA Novosti said Putin would “evaluate relations with representatives of these countries and their development prospects” during the event, citing Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

The list of countries included some EU nations – including France and Italy – as well as traditional allies such as Cuba. Leaders in Paris and Rome have previously urged the EU to engage Russia on Ukraine rather than rely solely on the US. 

“It will be attended by the ambassadors of France, Italy, Austria, Slovakia, Slovenia, the Czech Republic, Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Afghanistan, Algeria, Brazil, Egypt, Colombia, Saudi Arabia, Cuba, Pakistan, Israel, South Korea, Switzerland, Iraq, Somalia, Mauritania, Gabon, Sri Lanka, Senegal, Rwanda, Bangladesh, Ghana, Namibia, the Maldives, Peru, Uruguay, and Lebanon,” RIA Novosti reported.

Moscow’s closest allies, such as China, Iran and North Korea, are not listed.

Peskov said Putin’s speech would “focus on key foreign policy issues” without offering details.

“Today, the ceremony of presenting credentials will take place in the Alexander Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace, as is traditional. As is also traditional, the president will address the visiting ambassadors, and his speech will focus on key foreign policy issues,” Peskov said.

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