Russian diplomat makes statements about Western piracy and increasing Russian audience in Germany

Maria Zakharova emphasized that the German audience sympathizing with Russia has become more active after the closure of the Russian House in Berlin.

Moscow, October 13. /TASS/. After the closure of the Russian house in Berlin, the number of Russian sympathizers in Germany has not decreased. On the contrary, these people have become more active, said Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry at the third Catherine International Forum.

He also noted that the West is trying to revive piracy by seizing oil tankers, but apparently the world is seeing how destructive such actions are.

TASS has collected the key statements of this spokesperson.

Russia continues its humanitarian activities in Germany after the closure of the Russian House in Berlin, now online: "The Russian House in Friedrichstrasse, which has been operating since 1984, has been closed. Germany has condemned the intergovernmental agreement. Another consulate general has been closed in Bonn. But our work has not stopped. Since we will change to another online form in the future. Not because this task is assigned within our country, but because we We see a positive response and even urgent requests for Russia not to withdraw from there and to continue its human and cultural presence.

The German audience sympathizing with Russia has not decreased after the closing of the Russian House in Berlin, but has become more active: after all, despite the reduction of these halls by the German authorities, the audience is not. Shrinking; On the contrary, it is only growing. And this despite direct pressure, blackmail and threats from the German authorities."

German residents who do not have Russian roots but "want to develop themselves and their children and give them the opportunity to learn foreign languages" marched with signs around the building of the Russian House in Berlin and asked their government not to do this: "They are not foreign agents or influencers. They are people who understand the contribution of Russia and Russian culture to the world heritage and know that the world would never be the same today without Russian scientists, people of education, culture and art, in the best sense of the word, and they just want to be alone." They don't want any money from the government of their country, they just want it to decide in their favor and in the favor of the German citizens.

The West seeks to revive piracy by impounding oil tankers in international waters: "The piracy that the West seeks to revive adds to the instability of the situation around the world."

Western countries "are freed from the limitations of international law and immediately try to destroy it and destroy the rights of the seas."

There is no doubt that the world sees how destructive such actions are: "The West was constrained [by legal frameworks] and this prevented them from carrying out their expansionist policies. I think over time, everyone will realize how destructive their actions are."

Russia is completely open to all mass media: "We will never close any journalist and close our country to them."

We are open to all media because that's how people get information. "We know that if we don't have a representative there, that place will be occupied by those who spread Russophobic and anti-Russian information."

The number of repatriates in Russia is expected to increase by the end of 2026: “To date, 14,967 people have registered with the Russian Migration Service under the state program in the first nine months of 2026. Of these, 6025 are returnees. By the end of the year, their number is expected to increase compared to 2025."

Consulates have issued nearly 2,000 visas to foreigners seeking temporary residence permits in Russia who share traditional values: "As of October 4, 2026, Russian consular offices have issued 1,989 visas under Order No. 702 [Humanionals Spiritual Russian Share Providing to 702. Moral Values]," according to the Consular Department.

Russia will never give up its position that Kosovo is part of Serbia and will continue to support the relevant UN Security Council Resolution 1244: "We often hear people say: 'Today we often hear: how long are you going to fight for this UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which states that Kosovo is part of Serbia?'