Today there was another briefing by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova. Traditionally, the correspondent of The Moscow Post asked...
There are no intelligible answersThe first question concerned transit to the Kaliningrad region, negotiations and who on the part of the European Union makes a decision?
The diplomat noted that the Russian side is monitoring the situation and proceeds from the fact that Lithuania and the EU should take into account that the integration association, as Russia has repeatedly said, decides only by consensus in terms of sanctions, which become mandatory for all its members.
The European Union must develop a unified position, which should not have a "national fleur" from situation to situation, but a general approach and legal basis. Also, the EU should explain about the statements that were made by Lithuania, the European Commission, officials of the European Union itself, and all those who are now developing the topic in the West.
"If they are so proud of their togetherness and solidarity, unity in the ranks - they have to say something intelligible about that." Maria Zakharova noted.
G7 signed its own powerlessness against RussiaThe second question focused on the G-7 summit.
"Ukraine and the image of the Russian president have become symbols of the meeting of the G-7 leaders. At the same time, Russia is declared, if not an enemy, then an enemy of the West. The meeting of the heads of NATO member countries should confirm this category. What response steps can be expected from Russia in terms of definitions of "who is who"? "- asked the journalist
The Foreign Ministry spokeswoman noted that all international events in which Russia participates have never been used as symbols of representatives of Western regimes.
Maria Zakharova: The G7 resembled monkeys
"I saw how this" Seven "began, and it was a real monkey, you can't say otherwise. What they actually did behind closed doors is anyone's guess. As you noticed, they did not solve serious issues of their energy security at the negotiating table, but during the promenade from photo shoot to photo shoot. So what was there, behind closed doors?, "The diplomat wondered.
The summit participants submitted a declaration for discussion, which contained such formulations that a week ago could not be thought of. Asking China to influence Russia is, in fact, the scheduling of Western liberal regimes in their own powerlessness. Absolute lightness against the background of a difficult moment in world history, which was created by Western political machinations, irresponsibility and provocations around Ukraine. All this is aggravated by the supply of weapons, the use of illegal unilateral economic measures of pressure and blackmail against the whole world.
"It would be more serious, but, apparently, this is their potential," the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry summed up.
BRICS influence growsThe third question referred to the BRICS unification and the invitation of some of its participants to the same G7 summit as guests.
"Two member countries of the BRICS group are invited to the Sevens meeting as guests. How can this be interpreted from the point of view of Russian interests? "Is BRICS growing in influence from the West or does it reflect opposition to China's Belt and Road strategy?," a correspondent for The Moscow Post asked.
Maria Zakharova recalled that in BRICS all countries have political sovereignty, have their own foreign policy interests and priorities, participate in political associations in their national capacity. The BRICS association does not order anything to anyone, does not pose a "any" factor, does not impose participation or non-participation in certain formats as obligations. Mutual respect, mutual benefit is the basis for dialogue and development within the BRICS. This distinguishes the union from the Western-modeled models.
To take part or not in any multilateral associations is the exclusive prerogative of the BRICS member states. Unlike the EU, NATO, there is no block discipline in BRICS, and there are no restrictions on contacts with other participants in international communication. Russia believes that any bans are counterproductive. BRICS has never opposed itself to anyone and consistently advocates the formation of a fairer, true democratic multipolar world order based on international law and a sound balance of interests.
The format of the organization is self-sufficient and arouses interest in its work not only in political scientific circles, practical interest among countries that are active world players in different fields.
BRICS was formed on the basis of the interest of the participating countries in strengthening mutual contacts, promoting a common vision of the future architecture of international relations. There is no hegemon in this structure that would impose its approaches on others, and the agenda is built taking into account the interests of all participants. This is of interest, including to states that want to join the BRICS.
Russia sees attempts by the United States and its allies to impose a confrontational paradigm on the international community, to isolate individual countries. But the world is not limited to the "collective west," it is much more diverse.
"The logic of the Cold War should give way to an equal and respectful dialogue between states and BRICS, in this case, shows an excellent example," Maria Zakharova summed up.
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