© Unknown/KJNRussian FM Sergey Lavrov
Speaking at a webinar on international relations on Friday, the veteran diplomat accused the US and its allies in Europe of
"trying to form a belt of instability around us - forcing our closest neighbors, our brotherly peoples, to make a choice - either you are with the West, or you are with the Russian Federation." They want "to surround us with a cordon sanitaire, and even to profit from the fact they are having a decisive influence on the benefit of our neighbors."He went on to point to the unrest that broke out in Belarus after last summer's disputed presidential elections, arguing this was supported from afar. In addition, the diplomat accused the West of trying to pull Moldova into its sphere of influence.
"Now our Western colleagues are trying to expand their presence, including military, along the perimeter of our borders, including Central Asia and the Transcaucasus."Lavrov added. Moscow has previously expressed serious concerns over NATO's growing buildup in Central and Eastern Europe, saying that drills and exercises near the frontier with Russia are increasing the risk of catastrophic accidents or miscalculations.
Lavrov, who is standing as a candidate in September's State Duma elections for the governing United Russia party, claimed earlier this month that
"our Western colleagues do not hide the fact that many of them would prefer to deal with a weak Russia, devoid of landmarks, a Russia ready for any concessions. We see efforts - nearly daily - to influence our domestic and foreign policy."The lead-up to the vote could, he argued, become a target for "attempts to undermine [and] destabilize the situation, and provoke protests - preferably violent - as the West likes to do."
Reader Comments
R.C.
I said before and will say again. The U.S. is unraveling, and most perceptive nations around the world can see the process. We can't make any policies which have a coherent end; we dither; we have an embarrassingly befuddled president with dementia; factions have been set against factions within the U.S....and the most discouraging aspect is that those people screaming about Black LIve Matter don't realize who their true enemy is. It's not the white race; it's a coterie of extremely powerful oligarchical multinational corporations and networks which have ensnared all people as slaves. I look at Elon Musk and wonder how much of him is hybrid. Or some of these younger scientists so "inspired" by Star Wars. The naïveté is absolutely stunning . Really, dudes? You think your research and discoveries will be used for "good?" LOL. 1% to good and the rest to evil. Guaranteed.
Pfizer vaccine efficacy drops to 39% in preventing infection - Israel's Health Ministry
The Health Ministry reported Thursday the efficacy of Pfizer's coronavirus vaccine in preventing infection has dropped to 39% but the effectiveness in preventing severe illness still remains...RC
I actually like synchronicity better.
In the movie ‘Pride and Prejudice’ behind the scenes Mathew McFadden explained how the assemblies and balls were the only opportunity to touch and talk with the opposite sex which is why it was so super charged. Jane Austin does not describe any couplings while Mary Balogh leaves little to the imagination.
RC
In today's world with all the distraction and blathering propaganda about everything in life, those poor antennas are more often beaten into the ground.
I do not know any other books where the heroes and heroines cry.