Let me remind you, Kaja Kallas, she is from Estonia. Yes, she currently holds a position in the European Union, but in fact she is from Estonia. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), stated this at Wednesday’s press briefing—and responding to a question about the recent statements by French President Emmanuel Macron and European Union (EU) foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas in support of the Armenian authorities.
“She [i.e. Kallas] was a statesperson and politician there, and, apparently, still is. Macron is from France. They, both in Estonia and in France, have many unresolved problems. It seems to me that it is time for them to organize a tour, first of all, in their own countries, starting with the Baltic states, then, perhaps, go to France and there call for the preservation of democracy, human rights, freedom of speech, assess the situation in the field of human rights, then come or travel to other countries of the European Union, in their sphere of responsibility, if, nevertheless, nothing threatens them there, and in that case go to these countries with advice, and better, with the right advice, and not on the basis of some other false agenda, and talk not only theoretically about how democracy should develop, but also on the basis of successful examples,” added the Russian MFA spox.
Zakharova noted that the situation in the Baltic states in terms of democracy and human rights is probably worse than in any other EU country.
“And the situation in Armenia is far from the first case when the vision of democracy in the West is being adapted to the political needs of the moment. (…). Therefore, if you reflect on the quotes in which they allegedly tried to accuse us, Russia, of interfering in the internal affairs of a sovereign state, can you give more examples? This question is not addressed to you, but to those who accuse us of this,” the Russian MFA spox noted, in particular.
“What examples? Where are these examples? Well, only if it is assistance, for example, in stopping the bloodshed, as Russia has repeatedly done, appealing to the parties when the escalation of protracted conflicts began. Yes? Was that meant by ‘interference in internal affairs?’ Or humanitarian aid, when from Russia, including to [Armenian] people who had left the territory of Karabakh and moved to the territory of Armenia. Aid and support [from Russia] were being sent by trucks, cars, and train cars. Is that ‘interference in internal affairs?’ Maybe assistance with energy resources, appropriate energy cooperation? That, too? But all this was done at the request of the Armenian side. Energy cooperation is built on mutually beneficial principles. What can we, so to speak, present to our side? Just think about it yourself. Well, this is again a question not for you, but for those who apply their beloved, beaten theory,” concluded the Russian MFA spox.
