Moscow does not believe European tears: Maria Zakharova about the "people's diplomacy" of the EU and Borrel

Today, February 9, a briefing was held by the official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, during which she answered questions from the media.

The first question of The Moscow Post correspondent concerned the statements of the chairman of the annual Munich International Security Conference, Wolfgang Ischinger, who said that "strengthening the Ukrainian army may be an element in preventing war."

- But Ischinger is also the OSCE mediator in the Ukrainian conflict. Can he call for a stronger army? The conference itself will be held February 18-20. Will there be representatives of Russia at this conference? - asked the correspondent of The Moscow Post.

Maria Zakharova recalled that the key formats for resolving the intra-Ukrainian crisis in the Donbass are the Norman Four and the tripartite contact group. Work in these areas is slipping due to sabotage from official Kiev. The sabotage is that the Kiev regime does not fulfill its obligations, which stem from the Minsk agreements.

- I do not know if Wolfgang Ischinger in any capacity has anything to do with the activities of the mentioned mechanisms. If he talks about the situation as an expert, then he should broadcast a real picture of events, and not what the participants in the Munich Conference, sitting in the forefront, want to hear. Ishinger's public comments on the crisis in eastern Ukraine for the negotiation process aimed at diplomatic resolution do not relate in any way to the real situation, the diplomat said.

According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, Russian officials will not take part in the Munich Conference on February 18-20. Russia is forced to state with regret that in recent years the conference has been transformed into a transatlantic forum, losing inclusiveness and objectivity. Interest in this event in Moscow has noticeably fallen, in other non-Western capitals they have similar feelings.

Zakharova also recalled how in February 2020, when the world began to capture the pandemic of coronavirus infection and it was obvious that this would be a global disaster for many countries, the participants in the Munich Conference discussed anything, but not this main, seemingly, topic.

The second question from The Moscow Post correspondent concerned the so-called "people's diplomacy" from the head of the European Union foreign service, Josep Borrel.

- Josep Borrel said he coordinates the response of EU member states to a letter from Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on security issues. Was this letter also addressed to the European Union? Or Borrel decided, like Ischinger, to demonstrate the example of "people's diplomacy"? - asked the correspondent of The Moscow Post.

Maria Zakharova agreed that such a letter was not sent to Borrel, and recalled that "it's not good to read someone else's letters." Clarify: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov sent letters on January 26 with his visas in NATO, EU and Switzerland - a total of 37 recipients.

The appeal sought clarification of how those States intended to implement in practice their OSCE commitments on the indivisibility of security, the impossibility of strengthening their security to the detriment of others, and why they did not intend to do so.

Indeed, the letter was not addressed to Borrel, since the commitments were made by countries in their national capacity, and not by participants in military blocs or discussion forums.

- As for "people's diplomacy," Russia has a certain experience of monitoring the behavior of the EU. He shows that when each time in Brussels they try to comb the positions of EU member states "under one comb," the case ends with the triumph of the approaches of the anti-Russian minority. Apparently, there is a "big brother" behind them, who is not included in the integration processes of the European Union, "said Maria Zakharova, referring to the United States and Great Britain.

The diplomat also recalled the five Mogherini principles presented in 2014. This is the implementation of the Minsk agreements, the non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea, the strengthening of EU relations with eastern partners, including with the countries of Central Asia, increasing the internal stability of the EU, including in the field of energy, as well as support for civil society in Russia.

In the future, Mr. Borrel tightened these principles, which reduced the entire EU policy towards Russia to a confrontational outlandish triad: "to fight back, shackle and interact."

Such an exercise in Euro solidarity does not add to the already cloudy relations between Russia and the EU, which at one time were one of the pillars of the security system both in Europe and in the world.

- Solidarity can only be voluntary, not violent. Solidarity is manifested without pressure and force, first of all, proactively, even without persuasion. What solidarity is there in this situation? Here's all the democracy on the sidelines of the EU, like a showcase: beautiful, fashionable and beautiful, but they themselves do not wear this, "said Maria Zakharova.

According to her, Europeans should approach preparation of answers to safety subject responsibly and independently, proceeding from the national interests of the states: "that then weren't cried" that pressed them, pressed, made under pressure".

- There is such a phrase: "Moscow does not believe in tears." In the context of international relations, I would specify: I no longer believe, "the diplomat said.

She emphasized: it is at stake to reduce military risks and prevent the final degradation of the situation in the field of European security.

- This is not a game "Who will answer more badly," these are pressing questions of peaceful coexistence and trust. These answers are aimed at building a system based on trust, but now confirmed by written guarantees, "concluded Maria Zakharova.