Sergei Naryshkin
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Director of the Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR) · Russia
On the regime page: Russian Federation under Vladimir Putin
5 quotes, oldest first. Filter with other speakers.
“With regard to the developments in Ukraine, I can say that this notorious thesis about the Russian leadership’s plans to “invade” Ukraine was born within the walls of the US State Department and has been whipped up to such proportions that it is already reminiscent of war propaganda. This was done in order to try to provoke the Kiev regime into another attempt to resolve the problem of Donbass by military means.”
Original (Russian)
Теперь по тому, как развивается ситуация на Украине, я могу сказать, что этот пресловутый тезис о планах российского руководства «вторгнуться» на территорию Украины рождён в стенах Государственного департамента США и раскручен до таких пределов, что это уже просто напоминает пропаганду войны. А сделано это для того, чтобы попытаться спровоцировать киевский режим на очередную попытку решить проблему Донбасса военным путём.
English: English text published by the Presidential Press and Information Office, en.kremlin.ru (Security Council meeting, 21 February 2022)
Televised meeting of the Security Council on recognising the Donetsk and Luhansk 'people's republics', held on the eve of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine; Putin called on members one by one to state their view. Russia recognised both entities as independent later that day. Naryshkin presented the Ukrainian leadership as unwilling to implement the Minsk agreements. Naryshkin presented the Ukrainian leadership as unwilling to implement the Minsk agreements and said the 'invade' claim originated in the US State Department. Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022.
Remarks at the Security Council meeting chaired by President Putin, Moscow, 21 February 2022 (transcript, kremlin.ru) Source
“That is what I am saying: I support the proposal to have the Donetsk and Lugansk people's republics become part of the Russian Federation.”
Original (Russian)
Так и говорю: поддерживаю предложение о вхождении Донецкой и Луганской народных республик в состав Российской Федерации.
English: English text published by the Presidential Press and Information Office, en.kremlin.ru (Security Council meeting, 21 February 2022)
Televised meeting of the Security Council on recognising the Donetsk and Luhansk 'people's republics', held on the eve of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine; Putin called on members one by one to state their view. Russia recognised both entities as independent later that day. In this exchange Putin pressed Naryshkin to say whether he favoured negotiations or recognition; Naryshkin first said he supported incorporating the two entities into Russia, and Putin replied 'We are not talking about this'. Naryshkin then said he supported recognising their independence.
Remarks at the Security Council meeting chaired by President Putin, Moscow, 21 February 2022 (transcript, kremlin.ru) Source
Content note: Contempt for Western governments ('clear off to the devil') The words are shown as they were said or written. Why
“The Anglo-Saxons might be advised to attend to their own internal civil conflicts. Better still, to clear off to their acquaintance, the devil”
English: English as reported by Reuters (TimesLIVE reproduction, 25 May 2023; Jerusalem Post, 24 May 2023). Original-language text not found.
Naryshkin addressed foreign security officials. Reuters reports that he said the West had sown the seeds of its own destruction and accused Washington and London of thwarting efforts to settle the war in Ukraine; he uses 'Anglo-Saxons' for Britain, the US and other English-speaking countries.
Remarks by SVR director Sergei Naryshkin to an international security forum near Moscow, Wednesday 24 May 2023, as reported by Reuters Source
Content note: Contested claim: 'neo-Nazi regime' in Kyiv The words are shown as they were said or written. Why
“European elites are providing worldwide military and financial support to the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev, while simultaneously torpedoing any attempts at a peaceful settlement in Ukraine.”
English: English as published by TASS (English service), 4 September 2026. Original-language text not found.
Naryshkin spoke to heads of CIS security and intelligence services. Ukraine's government and Western governments reject the 'neo-Nazi regime' description of Ukraine's government.
Remarks by SVR director Sergei Naryshkin, 4 September 2026, as compiled and quoted by TASS Source
“NATO headquarters analysed the readiness of both Russia and NATO for an armed conflict. The conclusion is that the best way to limit Russia's military-technical and mobilization potential is to further prolong the Ukrainian conflict. This phrase sounds like a confession.”
English: English as published by TASS (English service), 4 September 2026. Original-language text not found.
Naryshkin claimed that NATO had analysed Russia's and NATO's readiness for conflict. NATO has not published such an analysis; no document was cited in the TASS report.
Remarks by SVR director Sergei Naryshkin, 4 September 2026, as compiled and quoted by TASS Source