Even in today’s world, full of human tragedy, we are still able to enjoy pieces of good news. Here is an encouraging roundup of recent weeks and months in our traditional NEO column.
In Russia Safe and Sound
High Regard for Relations
Moscow hosted talks between Russian President Vladimir Putin and North Korean Foreign Minister Choe Son-hui. The minister paid a visit to Russia to continue implementing the agreements reached by our countries’ leaders, Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un. In addition to the meeting with the Russian head of state, the third round of strategic dialogue at the foreign minister level took place. Vladimir Putin gave high praise to bilateral relations between Russia and the DPRK and expressed gratitude to the leadership and people of North Korea for their allied assistance in the Special Military Operation. Both sides reiterated their commitment to developing relations in accordance with the Treaty on Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and expressed common stances on international issues. Russia values the support of the Korean people and the Korean state for our alliance. The DPRK is a country that, through its principles and firm course, has created and defended its nuclear sovereignty. Its position in the modern world merits respect, and bilateral cooperation will expand across all areas.
Allied Coordination and Support
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi expressed gratitude to the Russian side for its prompt assistance in Astrakhan to the crew of an Iranian vessel attacked in the Caspian Sea by Ukrainian drones. Iran now reserves the right to choose a response that will deter the neo-Nazi Kiev regime from threatening a sovereign state and supporting anti-Iranian actions by the US and Israel. As far as Russian-Iranian relations are concerned, following consultations between Abbas Araghchi and Sergey Lavrov, both sides agreed to continue security coordination and cooperate as closely as it is possible in order to prevent such provocations.
BRICS School Friendships
The BRICS+ Schools Association proceeds with its work. This relatively young structure within the bloc has already established itself as a useful and popular tool for humanitarian exchanges among participants. Over the past six months, the Association has organized exchange programs for schoolchildren between Russia and India and between Russia and China. The trips combine academic work, foreign language study, and cultural guided tours. Students from partner countries get to know other cultures and learn to understand each other without interpreters. Additionally, with the Association’s support, the international educational project “Pushkin: Ambassador of Peace” was presented in the Indian city of Faridabad. We wish creative and geographical growth to the cooperation between the BRICS-plus schools; this direction has the potential to become a promising form of youth exchange within the group.
Protecting Traditional Values
At the International Asian Women’s Forum in Bukhara, Deputy Speaker of the Russian State Duma Anna Kuznetsova proposed the establishment of a UN Committee of Mothers. Amidst numerous pseudo-trends disseminated in the international information space and detrimental to mental and physical health, such an idea aims to promote traditional spiritual and moral values. The forum was attended by over 300 delegates from states and multilateral organizations. The Russian parliamentarian’s idea was met with great interest, and A. Kuznetsova received support from representatives of foreign parliaments and human rights organizations. The initiative will be subject to further development. It is clear that the demand in the Global Majority countries for the protection of spiritual and moral values at the international level is high. The problems on the global scale, which have been created primarily by Western efforts, are more than serious and alarming.
Move Over, Musk!
Russia is expanding its new-generation low-orbit satellite constellation. In July, a second batch of such spacecraft was launched. Space, just like the Earth per se, remains an arena of international competition which is natural and inevitable. It is logical that every sovereign state will strive to ensure its security and comfortable daily life through its own efforts, defending technological independence in every area. Only in this way can mutual deterrence, fair competition, and ultimately peace in outer space be ensured.
Medical Mission of Goodwill
For three weeks, a Russian railway train operated as a mobile consultative and diagnostic complex in remote areas along the Ulaanbaatar Railway and in the Mongolian capital per se. On average, about 200 people sought specialized medical care each working day. The train visited Mongolia as part of the humanitarian project “Mission Dobro,” (“Mission of Goodwill” – ed.) implemented by Rossotrudnichestvo, the Association of Volunteer Centers, and the Russian Humanitarian Mission. The program of humanitarian aid to friendly countries has been expanded in accordance with the instruction of Russian President Vladimir Putin. The “Mission Dobro” project will proceed. It has already demonstrated its truly international significance.
Clean Energy
Russian state corporation Rosatom continues construction of the Akkuyu nuclear power plant in Turkey, which consists of four power units with Generation 3+ VVER reactors. On the first power unit, a trial vacuum buildup in the turbine condenser has already been completed. The result confirmed readiness for the next stage. As is the case with all the projects by Russian specialists, Akkuyu utilizes advanced technologies and abides by the highest safety standards. It will become Turkey’s first nuclear power plant, which is specifically significant given that nuclear energy is currently one of the most environmentally friendly ways to generate power.
Expedition Results
The line was drawn under the final results of the Great African Expedition of Russian scientists. The goal was to study the state of aquatic biological resources in remote areas of the World Ocean, specifically in African waters. Russian research vessels conducted studies for two years, with their route including countries such as Morocco, Sierra Leone, Mauritania, Mozambique, and others. The results allow for an assessment of aquatic biological resources off the coast of Africa, the discovery of new fishing areas, and the development of cooperation between Russia and African states, not only in science but also in applied terms, such as recommendations for fisheries and similar initiatives.
Announcements
To call it a day, here are the announcements of international competitions and internships currently open for applications.
Nominations for the “Eurasia” international award for contributions to international cooperation, preservation of traditional values, and development of cultural ties—until August 30.
Internship under the InteRussia program for young foreign specialists in international relations, political science, and regional studies—until September 1.
Russian Energy Week 2026—until September 7.
Russia-Africa International Economic and Humanitarian Forum—until September 15.
Ksenia Muratshina, PhD in History, Senior Research Fellow at the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, and Culture Editor of “New Eastern Outlook”
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