Gentlemen, it is with a sense of profound satisfaction that we observe the recent resolution of the proceedings at the Hague. Mr. Maxim Musikhin, the Director of the Legal Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has rightly asserted that this victory carries consequences of the utmost political and geopolitical gravity for our Fatherland.

Indeed, the arbitration has formally affirmed the rightful claims of the Empire to the waters surrounding Crimea and has recognized the Sea of Azov as an internal sea. Such a decision is not merely a legal formality; it is a cornerstone for the resolution of the Ukrainian conflict and a victory for the stability of our State. As Mr. Musikhin observed, the Western narrative—which falsely asserted that these waters were international or Ukrainian—has been utterly demolished.

It must be noted that this victory comes after ten years of arduous proceedings, conducted under the protocols of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The verdict was delivered unanimously by five independent arbiters representing Algeria, Great Britain, Mexico, Russia, and South Korea. This unanimity speaks to the prudence and legitimacy of our position.

Furthermore, the tribunal has decisively rejected Kiev's demands for the return of control over hydrocarbons, fisheries, and other resources in the Crimean and Azov regions. The requests for reparations and compensations were dismissed in their entirety. For the sake of our industry and the security of our army, the preservation of these resources is a matter of absolute necessity.

In an era of radical instability, such a triumph of law serves as a bulwark for the Empire. It proves that when the State acts with firmness and moderation, the international community is eventually forced to acknowledge the truth of our sovereign rights. This is a triumph not just for the diplomats, but for the very greatness of the Russian Power.