Lavrov to head Russian UN delegation, despite US sanctions

Dhaka August 09 2022 :

Inside Russia : Outside Russia : News Digest by the Embassy of Russian Federation in Bangladesh on August 09 2022

INSIDE RUSSIA

West wants to destroy Russia – former president

The conflicts in both Ukraine and Georgia are links in the same chain, Dmitry Medvedev says

The West has launched an aggressive “geopolitical process” aimed at destroying Russia, former President Dmitry Medvedev claimed in an interview with TASS published on Monday.

Asked if the hostilities between Russia and Georgia in 2008 and the current conflict in Ukraine are “links in the same chain,” Medvedev said they are without a doubt part of the same scheme orchestrated by the West.

“This is a single process and a common plan directed against Russia. It consists of the desire of the West, primarily the United States and other Anglo-Saxon countries, to rock the situation in our country. How? Through neighbors in close proximity to the borders of Russia,” Medvedev, the deputy head of the National Security Council, and president of Russia from 2008 to 2012, explained.

He noted that before the conflict with Georgia began in 2008, when Tbilisi’s forces began shelling the disputed region of South Ossetia and killed a number of Russian peacekeepers and civilians, the US was “cynically engaged” in the training, funding, and arming of the Georgian Army, and Washington was actively encouraging then-Georgian President Mikhail Saakashvili to launch an attack against the civilian population in the area.

The same “provocative and, let’s face it, criminal policy of the US” is currently being aggressively pursued in Ukraine, Medvedev said, adding that this time, the process is receiving more active support from the EU, which he says has “finally lost its independence.”

“But the end goal remains the same,” he claimed, “to destroy Russia,” arguing that this goal is the root cause of the “extremely aggressive, Russophobic geopolitical process initiated by the West.”

The former president went on to say that despite NATO’s attempts to expand along Russia’s borders, which has become “a global problem that makes all reasonable people sick,” the US-led bloc has no intention of allowing either Ukraine or Georgia to become members.

“They understand that anything they undertake in beleaguered countries such as Ukraine or Georgia, which are in territorial disputes with Russia, will be more expensive for themselves. The costs will be enormous,” Medvedev noted, adding that neither Kiev nor Tbilisi will ever become members of NATO or the EU, and that “even the unshaven guy in a green T-shirt from Kiev” understands this.

Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, citing Kiev’s failure to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to give the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk special status within the Ukrainian state. The protocols, brokered by Germany and France, were first signed in 2014. Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has since admitted that Kiev’s main goal was to use the ceasefire to buy time and “create powerful armed forces.”

In February 2022, the Kremlin recognized the Donbass republics as independent states and demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country that will never join any Western military bloc. Kiev insists the Russian offensive was completely unprovoked.

Russia suspends US inspections of nuclear military sites

Western sanctions are preventing Russian inspectors from doing their jobs under the START treaty, Moscow says

Moscow has informed Washington of a “temporary withdrawal” from the inspection regime under the START nuclear disarmament treaty, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Monday.

Citing provisions in the document for “exceptional circumstances,” Russia claims Western sanctions have prevented its inspectors from performing their duties, thus giving their US counterparts an unfair advantage. Once the principle of parity and equality is restored, the previous arrangements will resume, the statement added.

Moscow cited “anti-Russian unilateral restrictive measures” imposed by the US and its allies, such as visa restrictions on Russian inspectors and a ban on Russian aircraft in US and EU airspace. These restrictions effectively make Russian inspections under the treaty impossible, while the Americans “do not experience such difficulties.”

“The Russian Federation is now forced to resort to this measure as a result of Washington’s persistent desire to implicitly achieve a restart of inspection activities on conditions that do not take into account existing realities, create unilateral advantages for the United States and effectively deprive the Russian Federation of the right to carry out inspections on American soil,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Russia “raised this issue with the relevant countries, but did not receive an answer.” Until these problems are resolved, “it would be premature to resume inspection activities under the START Treaty, on which the American side insists.”

As justification for the measure, Moscow cited the relevant section of the treaty protocol that covers extraordinary circumstances. Washington has been officially informed through diplomatic channels.

“We would like to emphasize that the measures we have taken are temporary. Russia is fully committed to complying with all the provisions of the START Treaty, which in our eyes is the most important instrument for maintaining international security and stability,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said.

As soon as the “existing problematic issues” are resolved, the inspections can resume again in full, according to Moscow.

The New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (known as New START) went into effect in 2011, and limits the number of nuclear warheads and their delivery vehicles that the US and Russia are allowed to possess. It is the only remaining arms control agreement between the two nuclear powers, after the US withdrawal from the INF and Open Skies treaties in recent years. New START almost expired before it was extended in February 2021, and is supposed to remain in effect until 2026.

Though US President Joe Biden said he had offered Russia talks on a new treaty, which would include China as well, Moscow said last week that it had received only “declarative statements” and not concrete proposals.

Lavrov to head Russian UN delegation, despite US sanctions

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will lead the Russian delegation to the UN General Assembly, scheduled for the end of September in New York, the Kremlin announced on Monday. President Vladimir Putin does not intend to travel to the UNGA or even address the event online. It is unclear whether the US will allow Lavrov and another member of the delegation to enter the country, even for the UN event.

There are “no plans” for Putin to travel to the US or address the world body, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Monday. Instead, the Russian president signed a directive designating Lavrov as the head of the Russian delegation.

He will be accompanied by Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Vershinin and Russian permanent representative to the UN Vassily Nebenzia, as well as Senator Grigory Karasin and Duma deputy Leonid Slutsky, who chair the foreign affairs committees of their respective parliamentary chambers.

The US government sanctioned Slutsky in March 2014, over his support for Crimea rejoining Russia. Lavrov was added to the sanctions list on February 25, as Washington accused him of being “directly responsible for Russia’s unprovoked and unlawful further invasion” of Ukraine. Russia has dismissed the embargo by the US and its allies as unilateral and illegitimate.

The UN General Assembly traditionally takes place in the third week of September at the world body’s New York headquarters on the East River. This year’s 77th session is scheduled to run from September 20-26.

Under a series of treaties and conventions governing the US’ role as the host country of the UN, Washington is responsible for recognizing the individuals who are accredited by the UN. They are accorded full diplomatic immunity with respect to their official duties.

Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi said last week that he planned to travel to New York and address the UNGA, even though the US sanctioned him in November 2019.

US treats its visa obligations at UN seriously — mission on Lavrov’s visit

UNITED NATIONS, August 9. /TASS /. The United States is serious about its obligations on issuing visas within the framework of its agreement with the UN, a representative of the US Mission to the United Nations told TASS on Monday replying to a question as to whether Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and other members of the Russian delegation would obtain visas to participate in the high-level week of the UN General Assembly.

The source noted that the US, as the receiving country, has obligations within the framework of the agreement with the UN to facilitate visits from UN member states. The source stressed that the mission was taking its obligations seriously.

Russian President Vladimir Putin approved Lavrov as the head of the country’s delegation to the 77th United Nations General Assembly in September. The UN General Assembly High-Level Week, which usually brings together heads of state, prime ministers and cabinet members from UN member states, will take place on September 20-26. According to the event’s preliminary program, the Russian top diplomat is scheduled to address the General Assembly on September 24.

Earlier, Lavrov sent a letter to UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres about the neglect by the United States of its responsibilities as the host country of the organization’s headquarters. As Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Stephane Dujarric told TASS on August 5, Guterres had discussed with Lavrov and US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield the subject of issuing visas to Russian diplomats.

Russia imposes sulphur export quotas through end-2022

MOSCOW. Aug 8 (Interfax) – Russia introduces quotas on the export of sulphur, one of the raw materials for production of mineral fertilizers, for the period from August 10 to December 31, 2022 in the amount of 1.1 million tonnes.

The relevant government decree was published on the official legal information website.

The quotas do not apply to sulfur produced outside the Eurasian Economic Union before August 10, with an order for delivery by ship or accepted by Russian Railways for transportation. Furthermore, sulphur exported to the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Abkhazia and South Ossetia are not subject to the quotas.

The Industry and Trade Ministry and the Energy Ministry have been instructed to distribute export quotas among sulphur producers by August 9 by issuing them the appropriate licenses.

In addition, the decree fixes maximum prices for sulphur supplied to fertilizer producers at a level no higher than average prices of May-July 2021 on FOB terms (similar to prices for mineral fertilizers).

According to Russia’s Federal Antimonopoly Service (FAS), 80% of sulfur in the industry goes towards production of sulfuric acid and almost 80% of sulfuric acid is used to produce fertilizers.

OUTSIDE RUSSIA

Ukrainian region announces vote on joining Russia

Zaporozhye Region will hold a referendum on whether to secede from Ukraine and request joining Russia, the head of its administration announced on Monday.

Evgeny Balitskiy said that he had signed an order to organize the plebiscite during a regional forum held in the city of Melitopol. Over 700 representatives from various parts of the Ukrainian region approved the idea, according to RIA Novosti.

Earlier comments by administration officials indicated the referendum may be held as soon as mid-September.

Russian forces took partial control of the region during the initial offensive against Ukraine launched in late February. The eponymous city located in the north of the region on the Dnepr River remains under Ukrainian control.

Officials in Kherson Region, another Russia-controlled part of Ukraine, voiced similar plans to put to a vote the proposal of breaking away from Kiev and seeking to join Russia.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky on Sunday reiterated a warning that if the two regions go through with their plans, Kiev will break off all talks with Russia. Moscow in response suggested that the Ukrainian president should address the citizens of those regions.

“The thing is, this is what the residents of the region plan. It’s not like we [Russia] are holding a referendum. Here, apparently, it is necessary to understand to whom Zelensky is addressing this statement – to the citizens of Ukraine of the mentioned regions or to the citizens of Russia? If it’s to the citizens and leadership of Russia, then we are the wrong address,” Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov commented on Monday.

There have been no peace talks between Russia and Ukraine for months, as Kiev rejected such contacts and claimed it would only negotiate after defeating Russian on the battlefield with the help of Western military aid.

Before the talks broke off, the two nations appeared to have made progress in resolving their differences. During a meeting in Istanbul in late March, Kiev had pledged to become a neutral country and accept restrictions on its military. Moscow said it prepared a draft peace agreement based on those proposals, but Ukraine never responded.

An indirect Russian-Ukrainian deal was mediated last month by the UN and Turkey to allow grain exports from three Ukrainian ports to resume via the Black Sea. The scheme was formalized in two separate agreements that were signed by Russia and Ukraine with the other two parties.

Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, citing Kiev’s failure to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to give the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk special status within the Ukrainian state. The protocols, brokered by Germany and France, were first signed in 2014. Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has since admitted that Kiev’s main goal was to use the ceasefire to buy time and “create powerful armed forces.”

In February 2022, the Kremlin recognized the Donbass republics as independent states and demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country that will never join any Western military bloc. Kiev insists the Russian offensive was completely unprovoked.

Methods US army uses to hide Ukraine involvement revealed – media

US “auxiliaries” are propping up Kiev’s armed forces, French intelligence reportedly believes

Ukrainian forces have “had the American military at their side” from the start of the conflict with Russia, the magazine Causeur cited a “well-placed analyst” in French intelligence as saying. Pentagon-hired contractors are allegedly “everywhere on the battlefield.”

The claim was published by the right-leaning outlet last week in an analysis of the five-month-long Russia-Ukraine conflict, which, it stated, “is not the fight of David against Goliath,” contrary to what many people believe.

“In Ukraine, the Pentagon for the first time subcontracted large-scale warfare,” the magazine cited its source as saying. These “mercenaries” come in addition to the “gigantic” military aid provided to Kiev by Washington, and are not necessarily frontline fighters, according to Causeur.

As an example of ‘subcontracted’ warfare, it cited the widely-publicized supply of SpaceX satellite internet access for Ukrainian military officials. CEO Elon Musk initially framed this as an act of charitable support, but media reports later revealed that it was paid for with US taxpayer money.

The US decided not to involve its troops in Ukraine, claiming it did not want a direct confrontation with Russia. However, the French magazine said Washington is apparently ignoring the threat of escalation as it pours weapons and private manpower into Ukraine for the sake of “bleeding” Russia, which, the US government hopes, will result in a strategic defeat for Moscow.

The magazine also said that Russia appears to be slowly gaining the upper hand over Ukraine as its superior firepower is prevailing over Kiev’s eight-year preparations for a fight for Donbass. The heavy damage caused by Russian artillery and aerial forces have led to dissertations and insubordination among the Ukrainian troops, it said. If the Russian forces progress beyond the heavily urbanized Donbass with its unfavorable terrain, the balance of power could quickly shift in Moscow’s favor, the report said.

Russia sent troops into Ukraine on February 24, citing Kiev’s failure to implement the Minsk agreements, designed to give the regions of Donetsk and Lugansk special status within the Ukrainian state. The protocols, brokered by Germany and France, were first signed in 2014. Former Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko has since admitted that Kiev’s main goal was to use the ceasefire to buy time and “create powerful armed forces.”

In February 2022, the Kremlin recognized the Donbass republics as independent states and demanded that Ukraine officially declare itself a neutral country that will never join any Western military bloc. Kiev insists the Russian offensive was completely unprovoked.

Global grain prices fall

Wheat and corn prices dropped on Monday on news that the first grain ships from Ukraine reached their destinations and the expectations that restrictions on Russian agricultural exports will be eased.

Around 11:00 GMT, the most actively traded wheat futures on CBOT fell 1.4% to $7.64 per bushel. Corn traded down 1.1% at $6.03 a bushel, and soybeans fell 0.09% to $14.07. Wheat has so far nearly halved in price since this year’s high of $14.25 in March.

Prices have been steadily declining ever since the Moscow-Kiev deal on grain exports, brokered by Turkey and the UN, was signed last month. Russia and Ukraine are considered the breadbaskets of the world, accounting for nearly a third of the global grain supply.

The deal set out a framework for resuming Ukrainian grain exports from Black Sea ports, which had been blocked for months due to the Russia-Ukraine conflict. In addition, Moscow and the UN signed a memorandum stipulating UN involvement in lifting restrictions on the export of Russian grain and fertilizers to the world markets. According to officials, the UN will broker the removal of obstacles created by US and EU sanctions on transactions, insurance, and logistics related to Russian agricultural exports.

A total of 10 ships carrying agricultural products have departed Ukrainian Black Sea ports as of Monday. The first ship, Polarnet, already arrived at the port of Derince near Istanbul earlier the same day. The vessel, laden with 12,000 tons of corn, was the first to leave Ukraine, on August 5.

SPECIAL MILITARY OPERATION IN UKRAINE

Russia accuses Ukraine of ‘nuclear terrorism’

Kiev’s forces have caused another fire at Europe’s largest nuclear power plant, Russia’s Defense Ministry claims

Ukrainian troops have committed “a new act of nuclear terrorism” by continuing to shell the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant, the Russian Defense Ministry warned on Monday.

The nuclear plant, Europe’s largest, in southern Ukraine was seized by Russian forces in late February, when Moscow launched its military operation in the neighboring state. The facility continues to operate under Russian control with Ukrainian personnel.

In a daily briefing, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Lieutenant General Igor Konashenkov said that Ukraine’s 44th Artillery Brigade fired at the plant on Sunday from the village of Marganets on the opposite side of the large Kakhovka water reservoir.

The shelling damaged a high-voltage power line, causing a short circuit at the plant, Konashenkov said. He added that a fire broke out at the facility, which was then put out.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, it was the second time Ukrainian shelling has caused a fire and a partial power outage at the plant since Friday. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the attacks on the nuclear facility could have “catastrophic consequences for a huge territory, including the territory of Europe.”

“We hope that countries which have an absolute influence on the Ukrainian leadership will use this influence to rule out such shelling,” Peskov said.

Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky accused Russia of shelling the Zaporozhye plant on Friday. “Russian nuclear terror requires a stronger response from the international community,” he tweeted, also warning about a potential nuclear disaster.

Ukraine and the US previously accused Russian soldiers of using the plant as cover in the fight against Ukrainian troops. Russia has rejected these claims.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres condemned the “suicidal” attacks on the plant, expressing hope that international inspectors will be able to access the facility soon.

Ukraine’s nuclear plant attacks holding Europe hostage – Moscow

Kiev’s forces are making the situation around the Zaporozhye facility much more dangerous, the Russian Foreign Ministry says

Kiev is holding all of Europe hostage by carrying out strikes on the Zaporozhye nuclear power plant, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Monday, noting that the situation around the facility is growing increasingly dangerous due to heightened activity from Ukrainian forces. 

Russia has long been calling on the international community to condemn the unrelenting military strikes being carried out by Kiev on the grounds of the plant, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova noted in a statement posted on the ministry’s website. 

She added that the strikes were renewed on Friday and Saturday, and that a catastrophe was avoided only thanks to the “skillful and prompt actions” of the power plant workers, as well as the Russian forces stationed there to provide “comprehensive protection” of the facility. 

“We can’t ignore the obvious: every day the situation becomes more and more dangerous,” Zakharova warned, noting that Russia regularly sends updated information “from the ground” to the IAEA, providing clear evidence of the “criminal actions of the Ukrainian armed forces, the command of which has finally lost the ability to think sensibly.” 

“They have apparently lost the basic instinct of self-preservation. After all, by pointing artillery at the operating reactors and the storage of spent nuclear fuel, the Ukrainians are aiming at themselves,” the spokeswoman said, adding that Kiev is now not only targeting the people of Russia and Ukraine, but are taking the whole of Europe hostage and “apparently won’t hesitate to burn it for the sake of their Nazi idols.”

Earlier, Russia’s Defense Ministry condemned Kiev’s attack as a “new act of nuclear terrorism,” after last week’s shelling damaged a high-voltage power line, causing a short circuit at the plant and starting a fire at the facility, which was eventually put out. 

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters that the attacks on the nuclear facility could have “catastrophic consequences for a huge territory, including the territory of Europe.” 

“We hope that countries which have an absolute influence on the Ukrainian leadership will use this influence to rule out such shelling,” Peskov said. 

The Ukrainian side has denied attacking the plant, with President Vladimir Zelensky saying that it was in fact Russia that shelled the facility on Friday and called for a “stronger response” to “Russian nuclear terror.” 

The nuclear plant in southern Ukraine, Europe’s largest, was seized by Russian forces in late February, when Moscow launched its military operation in the neighboring state. The facility continues to operate under Russian control with Ukrainian personnel. 

Ukraine and the US previously accused Russian forces of using the plant as cover, a claim that Moscow has rejected. 

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has condemned the “suicidal” attacks on the plant, and expressed hope that international inspectors will be able to access the facility soon.

INSIGHTS

West ready to fight to the last Ukrainian — Readovka.world

Arms shipments increase the likelihood of a military scenario and weaken the possibility of a diplomatic path, resulting in more suffering for the Ukrainian people

Loic Alexis Ramirez Rubiera, Spanish journalist living in Germany, talks to Readovka in an exclusive interview about arms deliveries to Ukraine, the effect of sanctions on Europe and the wave of Ukrainian refugees.

In your opinion, what will be the consequences of arms deliveries to Ukraine?

The delivery of arms to Ukraine will obviously result in the prolongation of the conflict. Many observers and analysts, including Americans, have already pointed out that this is a strategy developed by NATO in order to wear down the Russian army. This reality has been summed up by the phrase: «West ready to fight to the last Ukrainian». It is unlikely that this will reverse the general «war trend», which so far has seen Russia accomplish its objectives. Unless an important qualitative or quantitative leap is made (sending NATO troops on the spot, for example). Moreover, these arms shipments increase the likelihood of a military scenario and, of course, weaken the possibility of a diplomatic path, resulting in more suffering for the Ukrainian people. Eventually, it is up to the Ukrainian army and the people on the scene to resist militarily thanks to this external help.

What do you think will be the effect of sanctions on Europe?

The consequences of the sanctions have been reported several times in some Western European media. The major consequence is the increase in the price of energy and certain raw materials. The emblematic example is gas, of which Russia was one of the main exporters. It is no secret that, from now on, the European market is bound to turn slowly to the United States for LNG supplies. This energy is more expensive, and it also has a serious impact on the environment, which is already causing concern on the part of civil society.

The restructuring of the energy market will obviously cause a price increase for European continent. The increase that, in the short or long term, may cause deep discontent expressed differently depending on the country: demonstrations (eg: Yellow Vests crisis), strikes, or elections…

To what extent can European citizens be negatively affected by the wave of Ukrainian refugees?

The wave of Ukrainian emigration can have a negative effect on the population only if it is used for political purposes as a result. Several parties in Europe could stir up the fear of migrants or foreigners who arrive in great numbers to steal the bread of the native citizens to promote internal fractures in societies. But it is unlikely that this divisive strategy will be based on Ukrainian migration, because the European far right generally focuses its attacks on sub-Saharan or Middle Eastern emigration. It is unlikely, I believe, that Ukrainian emigration will become a destabilizing factor in Western European countries.

We are cattle for them — Readovka.world

Elites decide, how many livestock they need

Plamen Paskov, Bulgarian presidential candidate and one of the leaders of the Bulgarian Revival Party. An interest in the situation in the Balkans amid the global political crisis has prompted an interview with one of the bright leaders of a neighboring country whose public opinion and elites are temporarily under the control of the United States and whose leadership voices the opinion of its «masters». In spite of everything, there are still forces in Bulgaria that are able to oppose the liberal trend and defend the interests of the people, not those of the overseas moneybags.

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