MOSCOW, October 13. /TASS/. The number of people who sympathize with Russia in Germany has not decreased following the closure of the Russian House in Berlin; on the contrary, these people have become more active, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said at the 3rd International Catherine Forum.
She also noted that by seizing tankers, the West is trying to revive maritime piracy, but the world apparently sees how destructive such actions are.
TASS has compiled the spokeswoman’s key statements.
Further humanitarian work in Germany
Russia continues its humanitarian work in Germany after the closure of the Russian House in Berlin, now in an online format: "The Russian House in Friedrichstrasse, which had been operating since 1984, has been closed. Germany has denounced the intergovernment agreement. Another consulate general, in Bonn, has been closed. But our work has not stopped. It has simply shifted to the online format. At this point. As for the future, we will be looking for other formats. Not because that is how the task has been framed within our country, but because we see a positive response, and even urgent calls, for Russia not to withdraw from there and continue maintaining its humanitarian and cultural presence."
The audience in Germany that sympathizes with Russia has not shrunk but has become more active after the closure of the Russian House in Berlin: After all, despite the reduction in these venues, which was carried out by the German authorities, the audience is not shrinking; on the contrary, it is only growing. And this is despite the direct pressure, blackmail, and threats from the German authorities."
German residents who have no Russian roots but who "want to develop themselves and their children, to give them the opportunity to learn foreign languages, marched with picket signs around the building of the Russian House in Berlin, demanding that their own government not do this": "They are not foreign agents or influence agents. They are people who understand the contribution of Russia and Russian culture to the world’s heritage, who understand that the world would never have been as it is today, in the very best sense of the word, without Russian scientists, people of education, culture, and arts, and who simply want to develop on their own. They don’t demand any money from their country’s government, they simply want it to make a decision in their favor, in favor of German citizens."
The West is seeking to revive maritime piracy by seizing tankers in international waters: "Maritime piracy the West is seeking to revive adds to the destabilization of the situation around the world."
Western countries have "broken free from the constraints of international law and immediately tried to destroy it and do away with the law of the sea as well."
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 that, in time, everyone will come to understand just how utterly destructive their actions are."
Russia’s openness to the mass media
Russia is open to absolutely all mass media outlets: "We never shut out any correspondents, nor do we close our country off to them."
"We are open to all media outlets because that is how people receive information. We understand that if we are not represented there, that place will be taken by those who disseminate Russophobic and anti-Russian information."
Foreigners and returnees in Russia
The number of repatriates in Russia is expected to increase by the end of 2026: "As of today, 14,967 people have registered with Russia’s Migration Service under the state program during the first nine months of 2026. Of these, 6,025 are repatriates. By the end of the year, their number is expected to rise further compared to 2025."
Consulates have issued nearly 2,000 visas to foreign nationals seeking temporary residence permits in Russia who share traditional values: "According to the consular department, as of October 4, 2026, Russian consular offices have issued 1,989 visas under Decree No. 702 [‘On Providing Humanitarian Support to Persons Who Share Traditional Russian Spiritual and Moral Values’]."
The situation in the Balkans
Russia will never abandon its stance that Kosovo is part of Serbia and will continue to support the UN Security Council’s relevant Resolution 1244: "We often hear people say: "Nowadays, we often hear: how long are you going to keep fighting for this UN Security Council Resolution 1244, which states that Kosovo is part of Serbia?" We will stand firm for it and there is no other choice for us."