Adam
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
Maria Zakharova, the official spokeswoman of the Russian Foreign Ministry has given a lengthy answer to a question regarding Russia’s position on Washington’s unilateral sanctions against Venezuela.
Below is her full response:
“We are strongly against unilateral sanctions against sovereign states. The recently announced measures of financial pressure on Venezuela and President Maduro were introduced by Washington when that country started showing signs of relative domestic stabilisation following elections to the National Constituent Assembly: street protests went down somewhat, and a schedule for upcoming elections was outlined, including gubernatorial and presidential elections. Steps were taken to establish cooperation with the National Assembly, which is in opposition to the Government, but, unfortunately, they were rejected by its radical leadership.
In these circumstances, the announced sectoral sanctions against Venezuela’s financial and oil sectors are clearly aimed at further unbalancing the situation in the country, and exacerbating its economic problems. They embolden the irreconcilables who do not see how they can realise their political potential without removing the Venezuelan leaders from office.
The actions of the people behind the sanctions are steeped in cynicism. As follows from US official statements, the administration is exploring options for further tightening its policy, including the potential use of force against Venezuela only “in case of deterioration of the situation” in this South American country. Hence, the question: what are the current US sanctions designed to achieve? Are they supposed to benefit the Venezuelan economy? Clearly, the very logic of sanctions implies further increasing tensions.
We have on many occasions mentioned the danger of the domestic political confrontation in Venezuela reaching a level where it will jeopardise the existence of the Venezuelan state. Provoking and encouraging from the outside the destabilisation of the domestic political situation cannot benefit ordinary Venezuelans, no matter what political views they may have. Exactly the opposite is needed: facilitating a dialogue between all the country’s leading political forces, which would create conditions for redressing the economic situation. Political assistance from outside is of paramount importance for this issue to be resolved.
We are willing to contribute to a settlement in Venezuela inasmuch as it is required given the internal political dynamics in that country. We believe there is no alternative to peaceful responsible talks in the proper legal framework and without outside interference. Everything that goes beyond this framework is aimed at undermining the constitutional order in Venezuela and leading to new deprivations for its citizens.
We will carefully analyse the implications of the sanctions imposed by the United States, and their possible effect on the interests of Russia and Russian businesses. We can already say that they will not affect our willingness to expand and strengthen cooperation with the friendly nation of Venezuela and its people”.
Zakharova’s statement comes shortly after a statement from China roundly condemning new US sanctions on Caracas. Russia has also rebuffed Donald Trump’s threat of military action against Venezuela. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Moscow remains totally opposed to war on the oil rich South American nation.
READ MORE: LAVROV–‘NO WAR IN VENEZUELA’
China and Russia are demonstrating an ironclad unity when it comes to a commitment to peace in both North Korea and Venezuela. The US is isolated in this sense as it is the only superpower indicating a willingness for war, especially in respect of Venezuela.
The statements, views and opinions expressed in this column are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of this site. This site does not give financial, investment or medical advice.
THANK YOU for getting rid of the font you were using for quotations!
This is much better now…and the grey lines do a fine job of helping to clarify which words are direct quotes.
Zakharova is strong woman. For your viewing pleasure here are wives of NATO leaders. Did you notice an anomaly on that picture?
Avramijevdan
“…Did you notice an anomaly on that picture?…”
Your husband ? (LoL:)))
Pity you didn’t think of that before you pandered to more American sanctions on North Korea!
“…Russia is fully opposed to sanctions against Venezuela…”
And what will Russia do about it ?
Putin will whinge (his fans will swoon, LoL:))) and request Lavrov to write a letter of complaint to the UN which will be ignored.
Bottom-line:
Russia is irrelevant.
Venezuela is paying the price for failing to diversify its economy when the oil price was riding high.
A Russian person speaks and Mr More will repeat and repeat his mantra about how weak Russia is. We know now that Russia is irrelevant and Mr More is superior …OK, OK we got it!
André De Koning Question: What exactly will Russia do? Face reality, any weak country cocking its thumb at the US and overly associating with Russia usually gets Blitzkrieg’d, Regime changed or Sanctioned. The Venezuela sanctions are not via the UNSC, they are unilateral US led sanctions, optionally its up to the Neoconservative controlled countries like the EU, Canada, Australia, NZ, etc to follow suit. Venezuela exports a large volume of oil to the US, if this business is halted, Venezuela will have to export globally at much lower price in a market drowning with oil competing with Argentina, Brazil, Nigeria,… Read more »