Official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Maria Zakharova
Photo: Andrei Minaev
– They report that the train with Kim Jong-un has already crossed the Russian border and is approaching Vladivostok. What does Russia expect from this visit? How do you assess the current level of relations between Russia and the DPRK?
– Regarding North Korea, you know our tradition: the presidential administration comments on all summits and summits. But our relationships are developing in a number of areas. We maintain relations with this country. We see what Westerners have been doing for many years regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula. In general, we were one of the few who, throughout all these years, revealed the etymology of the crisis in this region, calling a spade a spade. And showing that this is not only a historical conflict, but that it has a modern background in the form of endless provocations by the United States in the waters, in the form of naval exercises, etc. Now these evaluations of ours play, among other things, in our favor. Because they demonstrate our impartiality and purity of analysis, its precision.
– The UN General Assembly will be held soon. Today this platform has not completely ceased to be useful?
– No, of course, you can’t say that. Understand that there are countries of different scales: not only in territory, but also in economy and population. And there are countries for which the tribune of the General Assembly, for many years, remains the only opportunity to speak on equal terms with the great powers. Countries should have the opportunity not only to wait at the entrance of some elite club, regardless of whether it convenes or not, as is the case, for example, with some global monetary institutions or closed and semi-closed discussion clubs. All countries should have the opportunity to raise their voices on fundamental issues on an equal basis with others.
– Western media have so far reported in a leaked format that the United States is about to transfer long-range missile weapons to kyiv. How will Russia react?
– As you understand, the supply of weapons is not only a destabilizing factor, but also a factor that causes conflicts. Let me remind you that the supplies made by the European Union violate a large number of documents that the Europeans themselves initiated at the same time. Let me remind you that some of them directly say that if the supply of weapons contributes to the escalation of an armed conflict, it cannot be carried out. They violate everything that they themselves have developed. Now, I’m not talking about specific types of weapons, I’m talking about everyone. All this will cause even greater victims. “The war to the last Ukrainian” has gone from being a meme to being a real fact.
This will also have implications for the destruction of global economic ties. Because if the West is so concerned about the problem of grain supply, overcoming poverty or helping those in need, then it is impossible to contaminate the Ukrainian soil with shells of depleted uranium, introduce additional restrictions on the passage of Russian grain to world markets and Further harass the States of the world with threats to sever ties with our country. In my opinion, at some point they will have to make a decision. Because the things they do and say contradict each other.
– In recent days, much attention has been drawn to the situation in Armenia, in Nagorno-Karabakh. Is there any chance of finding a peaceful way out of the current impasse?
– This peaceful opportunity was recorded in three documents that were prepared with the mediation of Russia by the parties in this really very complex conflict, already very old and, unfortunately, that lasts to this day. In recent years, thanks, I emphasize, to the efforts of Moscow and personally of the Russian President, it has moved into the category of solution. Since everyone is in agreement and they have reconfirmed the relevance of these documents and their historical role many times since 2020, then we just have to implement them.
As for rhetoric. You know, just two days ago, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Viktorovich Lavrov commented on this rhetoric, which we periodically hear from different parties, both from people in power and from people who represent, so to speak, the circles of Politic science. The rhetoric must be one that helps resolve the situation. Everyone has already learned how to light, set on fire and separate. Not everyone knows how to reconcile, help, restore, unite. This is what we must strive for.
– Today in Europe we see that the parties that advocate dialogue with Russia are gaining weight. In Germany, for example, it is the “Alternative for Germany” or in Slovakia, where elections will soon be held, Robert Fico’s party. Is it possible to restore relations with the European Union if those conditionally “pro-Russian” parties come to power?
– You know, I agree 100 percent that it is not necessary to look for pro-Russian parties in Europe. But in reality, these are people who have a real vision of things and work in the interests of their own countries. It is in your country’s interest to develop relationships with those who do so on a basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit. It is in your country’s interest to have stable relations. It is in your country’s interest to build a pan-European system, not even of security, but of coexistence. Therefore, we have always separated ourselves from the decision-making regimes due to the imposition of these pseudo-goals and objectives by NATO, mainly the United States. We have always distinguished and separated these anti-Russian and Russophobic sentiments imposed by the regime in these countries from the real interests and aspirations of the people of these countries. And when we call someone hostile, we mean those who develop or implement anti-Russian decisions, and not those who become hostages to the decisions of their own governments.
