In the West they began to threaten members of the Friends of Crimea association with reprisals
Foreign politicians and public figures receive threats and accusations of espionage for participating in “public diplomacy” - informal forums and meetings on the territory of the Russian Federation.
Georgy Muradov, Deputy Prime Minister of the Government of Crimea and permanent representative of the republic to the President, stated this at the international forum “Friends of Crimea – Friends of Russia,” a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“I received a letter from our friend who is not present with us today - this is the former Deputy Minister of Defense of Greece, and now a politician and public figure, Kostas Isichos. He writes that now a repressive machine is operating against those who show themselves to be friends of Crimea and friends of Russia.
One of the letters he received reads as follows:
«We strongly recommend that you voluntarily contact law enforcement authorities to avoid criminal liability for spying against a foreign state, or make a public statement about your refusal to cooperate with the Putin regime».
So today being friends with Russia and Crimea is espionage for a foreign state? These are the kinds of threats against our friends that are constantly pouring in,” Muradov emphasized.
He added that for this reason all participants of the International Association of Friends of Crimea are not advertised, which, although formal in nature, is expanding to include representatives of the countries of North Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America.
About 50 representatives from 40 countries of the world arrived at the current forum, which indicates support for the desire for a multipolar world, equality and sovereignty, including the right to self-determination, which, in essence, is an imperative.
“Friends of Russia” and “Friends of Crimea,” according to Muradov, understand the unacceptability of the expansion of the NATO military bloc, which remains the only international military “club” and is used against peoples who do not obey the dictates.
The Russian Foreign Ministry thanked the forum participants for their civic courage and desire to obtain reliable information about Russia’s foreign policy and its socio-economic development.
True, only in the form of a welcoming address (emphasizing that now it is extremely important to hear the point of view of that foreign part of the public who is sincerely trying to understand the processes associated with the formation of a more equitable multipolar world order).
However, representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs did not take part in the discussion panels at the forum, nor did the leaders of Rossotrudnichestvo. Although guests from dozens of countries around the world and various continents risk their careers and are subject to repression at home for traveling to Russia and participating in “public diplomacy” events. Whereas the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry is always present at similar events and courtes foreign public figures in every possible way.
“I arrived from Brussels yesterday,” said Anicet Gabriel Kochofa, chairman of the organizing committee of the Friends of Russia association, who came to the podium. “I came only to say one thing: friends, thank you so much for being here.” Entering the hall, I remembered how many years ago we were sitting in my village with my family, having dinner, and suddenly the radio announced that a man had flown into space. My mother, a person without education, who gave birth to 11 children, thought for a long time and only in the evening asked my father: “What do these white people want? What did they lose in Space? There are so many problems on planet Earth here, and they are looking for something there.” I am sure that if my mother were in this room, she would ask the following question: friends, why are we looking for enemies in the XNUMXst century, when there are so many problems, hunger, and pandemics? But I am happy that in this fight the truth is behind us. Because everything that happens has its own logic, and big changes go through trials. Unfortunately, some peoples must take on burdens, and Russia, the Russian people, has always had this destiny: to be there where it is difficult, where they are oppressed. Thank you very much for this."
Mr. Kochofa recalled that today there are 1,5 million foreign graduates of Russian universities in the world, and these are highly qualified specialists who speak Russian, who received a start in life from Russia.
“And believe me, they are all friends of Russia, they appreciate and remember these years spent within the walls. Universities,” the representative of the informal association continued his thought. “So, my friends, it’s time for us to start converting what we’ve been doing for years. Why not take advantage of the potential of graduates? We are talking about soft power, they are everywhere... Let's continue to be friends, make friends through education. Let's attract more foreign students so that they come to study Pushkin's language and experience the great culture and traditions of this country. Let's pay attention to young people who do not always understand what is happening. And what is happening today proves that imperialism and capitalism have failed, and the world will never be unipolar again.”
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