Good News.>Liberated settlements, the lifting of the Cuba blockade, announcements of international programs, and other positive developments

In our regular column in “NEO,” we feature the most inspiring news of recent weeks.

Easter will be celebrated in Russia

Russian Foreign Ministry Ambassador-at-Large for the Crimes of the Kyiv Regime Rodion Miroshnik addressed a session of the UN Human Rights Council. In his speech, as well as at a detailed briefing, a subsequent press conference, and a teleconference held several days earlier, the Russian diplomat presented the world with evidence of the Kyiv regime’s crimes—both against Russian citizens and against residents of territories still under its control. The information he presented came as a shock to many and, hopefully, will help open the eyes of those who have not yet realized the monstrous phenomenon of Ukrainian fascism the world is dealing with.

12 Years in the Homeland

Russia celebrated the 12th anniversary of Crimea’s return to its native land. March 18, 2014, marked a special milestone in the country’s history. The peninsula and its residents were reunited with the Fatherland through a popular vote. Since then, this date has become a national holiday, and the region remains an outpost for the defense of state borders, a center of agriculture, industry, science, tourism, and, most importantly, a place where brave, friendly, and happy people live.

A New Kind of Good News

Iran is methodically breaking the horns of the “Epstein coalition.” It has learned the lessons of last year’s Israeli aggression, adapted its defense system, clearly assigned missions to its military units, rejected humiliating American negotiating conditions and ultimatums, and is striking back at the enemy in ways the American and Israeli aggressors, along with all their sympathizers, could never have imagined, if they had considered anything at all, before attacking a civilization with a thousand-year-old history, culture, strategy, and military traditions. The entire sober world stands in solidarity with the heirs of Persian glory, and every news item about the Islamic Republic’s successes—the downing of an American F-35, the reduction of the vaunted LUCAS drone to a useless heap of scrap metal, or direct hits on targets somehow belonging to or used by the aggressors—is good news. Thus, in battle, a multipolar world is being born in the Middle East and a rebuff to the Western tyranny that has perpetrated it for many years.

The blockade has been lifted!

The Russian tanker Anatoly Kolodkin delivered the long-awaited 100,000 tons of oil to Cuba. This humanitarian aid is even more valuable to the Island of Freedom because Russia was the first to defy American sanctions and threats and support its ally. Previously, the US energy blockade of Cuba led to large-scale power outages, shortages of food, medicine, and fuel, and disruptions to essential social facilities, primarily hospitals. Now, a glimmer of hope has appeared for Havana, and the situation should improve. The non-Western world has seen from Russia’s example what needs to be done through joint efforts.

In the Interests of Agricultural Development in BRICS

The Russian side has summarized the results for 2025 in such a significant segment of foreign trade relations as the supply of mineral fertilizers. As noted at the Russian-Brazilian Business Forum, half of Russia’s fertilizer exports go to BRICS countries. Brazil and India purchase the largest volumes of Russian products. Russia remains the global market leader, with exports last year amounting to 45 million tons. Growing trade between BRICS countries is in line with the group’s objectives, and agriculture is a priority for economic cooperation.

New routes for connecting the global majority

People in 40 countries now have access to MAX, a Russian-powered alternative to Western social media. You can message and make calls in Russia, Belarus, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Turkey, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, the United Arab Emirates, Laos, Cambodia, Afghanistan, Bolivia, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo, Colombia, Grenada, Gambia, India, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Myanmar, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Venezuela, Tanzania, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Cuba, and Palau. To register, download the app and then add your contacts. Two-factor authentication can be used to enhance security.

Russian Character at the Paralympics

Despite all the current problems in global sports, it sometimes brings positive emotions. The Russian team at the Paralympic Games showed the world what the Russian character is all about. Due to Western sanctions, only six athletes were able to participate, but they, bearing the Russian flag and anthem, won eight gold medals, one silver, and three bronze in the Italian Alps, finishing third (!) in the overall team standings. After their triumphant return, Alexey Bugayev, Varvara Voronchikhina, Ivan Golubkov, Anastasia Bagiyan, Sergey Sinyakin, Dmitry Fadeyev, and Philippe Chebbo attended a reception with Russian President Vladimir Putin, where they received state awards.

Federation Council Chairperson Valentina Matviyenko met with members of the Russian Paralympic team

Global Public Opinion in Action

Another piece of good news from the Olympics: Milan witnessed an unprecedented outpouring of global condemnation of Israel’s war, supported by the United States, against Palestine. The way the two countries’ national teams were booed at the opening of the Games will be remembered by many and demonstrates the attitude of all those who understand the international reality. Israeli abuses in the Palestinian territories continue, even after Tel Aviv and Washington launched their operation against Iran, and only a common position and coordinated action by countries could stop them.

Finally, this column includes information about programs, internships, and major international forums for which applications are now open.

International Summit of Young Diplomats in Artek – until April 10.

Internship under the InteRussia program and advanced training for foreign specialists in archaeology – until April 19.

International School “Balkan Dialogue” for young politicians, researchers, and journalists – until April 26.

International Youth Festival 2026 – until April 30.

The “Russian Language in Armenia – New Horizons” competition for Russian language teachers runs until April 30.

Internship and professional development opportunities for energy specialists from Latin American countries through the InteRussia program run until May 3.

Ksenia Muratshina, Senior Researcher at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Editor of the NVO Culture Department

Follow new articles on our Telegram channel

© New Eastern Outlook