The problem is not that #Putin directs #Lukashenka's actions - he does not. The problem is that #Belarus for #Russia is transforming into what #DPRK is for #China. But this is Russia's problem, not #EU's.
The problem for #EU is it has long outsourced decision-making on key issues in regions of strategic importance for Europe to #US (which,in turn,falls prey to US domestic politics).
EU won't recognise it. Instead,it keeps looking for "#Putin factor" in every new challenge it faces
The lesson for others to learn is that turning states into failed entities has long term consequences. Lukashenka weaponizing migrants-wrong.
Europeans refusing to face consequences of their own policies (Libya, Afghanistan, Syria) - the migrants ARE exactly that - irresponsible.
They say,in #Belarus & #Russia people dont have power to influence policies of their govs - indeed.But those in Europe who unhappy to see migrants come to their land apparently have a leverage over their govs whose policies lead to such consequences,right? Right?Use it..next time
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This year #Russia's flagship conference - annual meeting of the @valdaitweets in #Sochi - features Foreign Minister Lavrov,#Moscow's mayor Sobyanin,former #Afghanistan president Karzai &,possibly,#Putin himself.The place is amazing & the venue is intellectually rich. Stay tuned.
Day 2 at @valdaitweets conference. @mfa_russia Sergey Lavrov speaks.
Kicks off by detailing #Russia's position on ceasing contacts with @NATO, argues the problems been piling up, #NATO was long sabotaging & rejecting many of #Moscow initiatives
#Russia published its annual Foreign Policy Review, a 66 page document that highlights key events and issues in RUS foreign policy and diplomatic activity in 2020. Full text here (in RUS): mid.ru/ru/activity/re…
A brief summary of relations w/ #US in this SHORT THREAD
1. Relations w/ #US & #Canada discussed on 1.5 pages. The FP review says "tensions w/ US continued to build up becuase of multifaceted American efforts to contain #Russia. Interaction was limited and ad hoc."
2. In 2020, Presidents (#Putin & #Trump) spoke on the phone 8 times, Foreign ministers spoke on the phone 6 times + 1 meeting @MunSecConf. Security Councils of #US & #Russia "maintained contacts". In April, Russia sent "humanitarian medical aid" to US, US sent to RUS ventilators.
⚡Putin responded to @POTUS remarks over #Russia/n president being a "killer" & #Moscow's meddling in #US election by saying he "wishes him good health"
#Putin added: "In childhood we were playing in the yard, and when we argued with each other, we used to say: "Whoever calls his name is called that." And this is no coincidence, this is not just a childish saying and joke. The meaning is very deep in this, psychological.”
Kudos to @KatieChe_ for the updates and the translation, she's been on top on this story
#Russia, #US,and the fight over #SputnikV
Short THREAD #Putin made interesting comments that are important to understand how #Russia reads the situation with promotion of #vaccines
1. #Putin: "Global market for #COVID19 vaccines is worth $100 billion. We see how competitors of our producers behave: they enter a country [that is in need for vaccines],sell a small batch of vaccines on a discounted price but condition the sale with that...
2. "...the country will only purchase that vaccine from that producer in the future. So, there’s a real fight for the markets".
#Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey #Lavrov & @SecBlinken held their first phone conversation.
Here's a couple of my observations:
Short THREAD
1.If one reads the @StateDept press release they may get a sense that @SecBlinken only put forward new #US demands (new START should include all #Russia/n nukes+address #China threat) or raised unpleasant issues for #Moscow (interference, hacking, #Ukraine, @navalny) which he did
2.@mfa_russia's press release gives a sense that the talk was actually substantial & touched upon many issues of common interest:
- arms control
- #Syria,#Libya (!),#Ukraine
-cooperation on #COVID19 relief measures including vaccine (!)
- settling issues over diplomatic missions
⚡️JUST IN: #Russia/n peacekeepers reported to be deployed in #NagornoKarabakh, as part of the trilateral agreement b/n #Moscow, #Armenia & #Azerbaijan.
The peacekeepers will be supported by all branches of military, including airforces, artillery, special focres & navy
#Putin-#Aliev-#Pashinyan peace agreement:
- Parties preserve their positions as fixed at the moment (Shusha under AZ control)
- #Armenia de-occupies territories around #NagornoKarabakh + part of Karabakh that #Azerbaijan took over
-ARM keeps 5 km Lachin corridor
- RU peacekeepers be deployed to the Lachin & line of contact b/n ARM & AZ in Karabakh for 5 years
+ prolongation for 5 more years if parties agree
- there'll be 1,960 RU peacekeepers w/ small arms,
90 armored fighting vehicles,
380 pieces of automotive & specialized equipment.