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international

is a unique structure with a balanced membership received support from a significant number of
(65 countries, including all nuclear powers) CD member states, but the US and its allies
and a broad agenda covering the most pressing continue to block their consideration.
issues in the field of arms control, disarmament,
and non-proliferation (ACDN). It remains an Nevertheless, we note some positive signals. In
important element of the UN disarmament 2024, the Conference managed to agree on the
mechanism with a unique negotiating mandate. establishment of subsidiary bodies to consider
The work of the CD must be supported so substantive items on its agenda. We plan to
that its substantive activities can resume when facilitate the resumption of their activities in
circumstances permit. 2025. Additionally, the CD’s report and the
related resolution of the UN General Assembly’s
We are convinced that the primary negative First Committee were adopted by consensus.
factor is the lack of interest and political will,
particularly among the states of the “collective Let me emphasize once again: Russia is ready
West”, to develop new legally binding instruments. to engage in discussions at the CD on pressing
Striving to maintain their dominance and issues of the disarmament agenda and to work
military superiority, these countries are simply towards developing new agreements. However,
unwilling to bind themselves with additional such activities must be carried out on the
commitments. It is worth noting that the basis of sovereign equality, mutual respect,
situation in the CD is not unique in this regard. and consideration of the legitimate security
Due to the current geopolitical situation, the interests of all parties. The focus should be on
work of many other specialized platforms has resolving accumulated problems and addressing
also been paralyzed. new challenges and threats – not on advancing
national or narrowly-defined foreign policy
Here’s an example. In the practices of Western agendas or securing advantages at the expense
delegations at the CD, a clear reluctance to of other states’ interests.
consider the priorities of other countries is
evident. There have been attempts to limit the Tell us about your hobbies and interests outside
forum’s activities to mere discussions and to use it your professional life, what you do to relax
as a platform for accusations and settling political and what you draw inspiration from. Is there
scores. Issues unrelated to the agreed agenda of anything particular in your “extracurricular”
the Conference – such as gender balance, youth activities that helps to underpin you professional
participation, specialized education, and others work?
– are prioritized, distracting members from Outside my professional life, I have always
addressing ACDN issues and doing little to valued hobbies and interests that allow me to
resolve the contradictions on pressing matters of unwind and get my mind of work-related issues.
the disarmament agenda. Many of these hobbies date back to my years as
a student at MGIMO University, where I played
For our part, we have been making consistent volleyball for the university team and developed
efforts over many years to bridge the positions a love for music and other sports. I still enjoy
of states. We have proposed compromise playing tennis, another passion of mine is
solutions for the CD’s program of work and playing the guitar, and occasionally drums.
put forward new initiatives. For example, as Music has always been a source of inspiration
far back as 2008, Russia, together with China, for me, especially the legendary rock hits of the
submitted to the Conference a draft Treaty on Beatles, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin, the Rolling
the Prevention of the Placement of Weapons Stones, and the Monkees.
in Outer Space, the Use of Force, or the Threat
of Force against Space Objects (PPWT). In Having spent a considerable amount of time
2014, the draft was significantly refined. A in Switzerland, I couldn’t help but fall in love
decade later, it remains relevant to the task of with the country’s natural beauty and outdoor
preventing an arms race in outer space. Another activities. Hiking through the breathtaking
example is Russia’s 2016 proposal to develop landscapes and skiing, both downhill and cross-
a convention on combating acts of chemical country, on the pristine slopes have become
and biological terrorism. Both initiatives favorite pastimes of mine. These activities provide

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