At the centre of everything just now – everything concerning the present and future of humanity, that is – stands Russia (whether you agree or not). So it is of vital importance for the world to know, and also to understand, given that central position for itself that Russia has now established, what Russia knows, how Russia feels, and just what is Russia’s understanding of the world situation and its own position within that.
We can be heartened that Russia is prepared to be quite open about all that. They are a noble and peace-loving people, but intensely proud and supportive of their culture and heritage in a world which is intentionally trying to steal those things away from them. Such is undeniable. Historically, that has been attempted many times. Always ending in failure. And there is not a nation on Earth which, even maliciously joined by others, could possibly change that situation. But many will still try, and such attempts are still ongoing. And so Russia has to be ready and alert for any contingency. She understands everything. We, who are potentially on the other side, not necessarily personally, but whose governments are most definitely on the other side – whether that be by coercion or as a result of fraternal cohesion of some mistaken kind – should not doubt that for an instant.
What better value then, whatever our personal views on the matter, than a published and open address by the President of Russia to his Federal Security Service colleagues at this critical point in our joint history?
Published on the President’s own official website, having taken place on February 27, 2025, I share the full address here, for your convenience, and hopefully, willing interest. Nothing has been changed other than the carousel of images, replaced by just one.
Since the reason for my showing this is only that we should understand ‘What Russia Understands’, I would add a word of caution for both us and them, that whatever reaction we have towards whatever positive overtures may be forthcoming from US sources, whether seemingly genuine or otherwise, can be overturned in an instant, to change the whole mood of the day. I think the new US Administration is coming around to believing in the resoluteness of Russia to stand firm and unshakeable in defense of stated goals, and they are in process of adapting their own strategy accordingly. It may be that they will even reach the point of casting off disagreeable alliances, which some apparently already see as forming a separate and oppositional grouping of nations – a new British Empire? How foolish. How irrelevant. But there are no guarantees on the road to peace, and no end to the potential pitfalls.
This is not ‘Detente’, but it may be a change of heart for the US. A new level of understanding. A new grasp of reality. A move away from being the previous ‘agreement incapable’ version we have seen before. That is yet to be seen …and proven. How nice would that be? And yet it might simply be a sneaky move to separate Russia from China. That also remains to be seen.
I think Russia understands all these things. This message provides some assurance of that. And of Russia’s capability and resolve to see it through what lies ahead. Russia also, it should never be forgotten, has many friends, and does not stand alone.
Meeting of the Board of the Federal Security Service of Russia
Vladimir Putin spoke at a meeting of the Board of the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation.
February 27, 2025 15:20 Moscow
Vladimir Putin: Dear Alexander Vasilyevich [Bortnikov], Dear comrades,
Today, at the annual board meeting of the Federal Security Service, you will discuss a wide range of professional issues and identify priorities for the future.
I would like to note that all the tasks set last year were generally solved at a high level, and the concrete results of your activities show that the FSB is a strong, reliable and effective link in the system of ensuring national security.
Your specialized units acted promptly and competently, defended the sovereignty and national interests of Russia, the rights of our citizens, reliably defended the constitutional order, fought terrorism, extremism, crime, and conducted complex counterintelligence operations.
I would like to thank you, dear comrades, and the entire staff of the FSB of Russia for your professionalism, determination and dedication.
Special words of gratitude to those who during the special military operation operated behind enemy lines, on the line of contact, and in difficult conditions defended the safety of our people in the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, in Zaporozhye and Kherson regions.
We are proud of the valor of the FSB border units, which took the blow of superior enemy armed formations in the border areas.
The exploits of the fallen FSB officers, border guards, special forces soldiers, and other units who gave their lives for the Motherland, but did not flinch or retreat, will always remain in our hearts. Please observe a minute of silence in memory of our comrades-in-arms.
(Minute of silence.)
Dear participants of the meeting,
You see, we all see how rapidly the world is changing, the situation in the world. In this regard, I would like to note that the first contacts with the new US administration inspire some hopes. There is a counter-mood to work for the restoration of interstate relations, for the gradual solution of the colossal volume of accumulated systemic and strategic problems in the world architecture. It is these problems that once provoked both the Ukrainian and other regional crises.
It is important that our current partners demonstrate pragmatism, a real view of things, reject many stereotypes, so-called rules, and messianic, ideological cliches of their predecessors, which, in fact, led to the crisis of the entire system of international relations, and, in fact, – we can see this too-began to fall apart from the inside the Western community itself. This is evidenced by the problems in the economy of many Western countries, and in domestic politics. We can all see it. This is especially evident in the course of domestic political events in these countries.
Today’s dynamic changes in the international landscape are largely the result of the courage and resilience of our Armed Forces, our heroes. They are the ones who, with their valor and daily victories, have created the conditions for launching a serious dialogue, a dialogue on a fundamental solution to both the Ukrainian and other crises, including, of course, – we always say this, we have never given up on it – by peaceful means; on creating a system that will truly ensure balance and mutual accounting a system of undivided European and global security, and in the long term, when the security of some cannot be ensured at the expense or to the detriment of the security of others, and certainly not at our expense, not at the expense of Russia.
We understand that not everyone is happy with the resumption of Russian-American contacts. Some Western elites are still determined to maintain instability in the world, and these forces will try to disrupt or compromise the dialogue that has begun. We can see this with you. We need to take this into account and use all the possibilities of diplomacy and special services to thwart such attempts. And most importantly, as before, it is important for us to firmly protect our national interests, sovereignty, and the lives and freedoms of our citizens from any threats.
In this regard, the FSB needs to continue its systematic work in all relevant areas, and first of all, of course, the fight against international terrorism. I would like to note that the number of terrorist crimes has increased over the past year, and more than half of them are planned and organized by the Ukrainian special services and their curators.
The FSB, other agencies and law enforcement agencies, in coordination with the National Anti-Terrorist Committee, should make the most effective use of available forces and resources; pay special attention to preventive measures, improving the anti-terrorist security of military and industrial facilities, life support systems, public facilities, as well as energy and transport infrastructure.
The work on strengthening the anti-terrorist potential of the FSB units in the regions of Donbass and Novorossiya should also be continued. I would like to emphasize that these units are doing a lot today to neutralize terrorist and sabotage groups, to collect intelligence about the enemy.
Serious additional measures must be taken to protect the state border. It is necessary to further increase the density of covering the borders in potentially dangerous areas, in cooperation with army units, units of the Russian Guard and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and local authorities, to ensure the safety of people in border settlements.
We must resolutely and aggressively fight extremism and terrorism, stop any attempts to divide and divide our society, and pit representatives of different nationalities and religions against each other. You and I are well aware that this is one of the lines of attack against Russia, our multi-ethnic and multi-religious state.
Counterintelligence agencies face important tasks. Regular reports and reports show that the activity of foreign intelligence services during the special military operation has increased, and the level of their technical equipment has increased.
This means that it is necessary to seriously strengthen the counterintelligence cover of military and strategic information related to state and military administration, the creation of the latest weapons and simply advanced technologies in other industries.
But I pay attention: as for civil technologies and developments, we need to do this not in a standard way, but calmly, competently, and intelligently. So that the achievements of our scientists do not go into safe boxes “under the stamp”, but are quickly introduced into production, used both in our market and in increasing our high-tech exports.
We talked about this – many of you probably saw it – including at the recent forum on the development of chemistry and the new materials industry. At the same time, of course, we must protect our innovations from theft and unfair use by our competitors.
Dear colleagues!
Traditionally, an important area of your work is ensuring economic security. I have said it many times and I want to repeat it again today: protecting the legitimate rights of domestic businesses, combating crimes in the financial and banking sectors is one of the foundations for the competitiveness of our national jurisdiction and a favorable investment climate in Russia. This is extremely important.
More active efforts should be made to combat corruption. Your constant focus should be on the implementation of state defense orders and national projects, as well as the promotion of long-term federal and regional programs.
I would also like to note that with the development of digital technologies, the number of cyber attacks on the domestic information infrastructure is growing, including on official state websites, resources and services of state corporations and departments. Moreover, such crimes are systemic, multidimensional, and multi-vector in nature, that is, they cause damage to the state, business, and citizens.
To improve the security of the national information infrastructure, to look for new methods of neutralizing cyber threats – this is also the task of your department.
Dear colleagues!
This May, we will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the Great Victory. And during the celebrations, congratulating our veterans-front-line soldiers, of course, we will also remember with gratitude the heroes of the Russian special services: intelligence officers, special officers, Smersh fighters, border guards who made a truly invaluable contribution to the defeat of Nazism and their accomplices – Bandera, OUN and all kinds of traitors, collaborators of all stripes.
Modern history also knows many examples of genuine valor and self-sacrifice of our fighters, our comrades. I am convinced that the current generation of defenders of the Motherland, including FSB officers, will cherish the traditions of their predecessors-those who defended the interests of the Fatherland, protected the security of our country and our people during the Russian Empire, during the Soviet era, and in modern Russia.
Dear comrades,
I wish you every success and thank you for your attention. Thank you for your service.
Thank you.
Not Something Else 