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Alexander Shchetinin, the Director of the Latin American department of the Russian Foreign Ministry, came to the TeleSUR and sat down with journalist Rolando Segura to discuss multilateralism, Latin America’s relation with Russia, and the U.S. aggressions towards the Venezuelan nation and the sovereign nations of the Global South. teleSUR
#russia #venezuela #latinamerica
#russia #venezuela #latinamerica
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NewsTranscript
00:00It's a pleasure to greet you from Telesur here at our headquarters in Caracas.
00:15Today I have the opportunity to speak with Alexander Chetinin,
00:19Director of the Latin American Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation.
00:25Welcome to Telesur, Ambassador.
00:29Thank you very much and from here, from Hospital of Caracas, I'd like to greet all the Telesur viewers.
00:36What do you bring with you on this occasion?
00:39What are the objectives of the visit to Venezuela and ultimately to Latin America?
00:44You come from other countries in the region.
00:47First of all, we have an ongoing fruitful dialogue with Venezuela's brothers.
00:52We are always in need of exchanging perspectives and opinions
00:56and aligning our positions on the dynamic development of international events.
01:03As we know perfectly well and an exchange of views in this regard with our friends and partners in Venezuela
01:14Venezuela is always of great importance to Russia.
01:19This trip is part of our desire to maintain diplomatic ties with other countries in the region.
01:31I was part of a foreign minister's delegation to the United Nations General Assembly in New York
01:38and then traveled via the Dominican Republic and Panama here.
01:44I also attended a kind invitation from the Venezuelan authorities to participate in the forum on colonialism,
01:53neocolonialism and combating their consequences.
01:56I just spoke there.
01:58So it is a very demanding program, but always enjoying a high degree of hospitality from the famous land of Venezuela.
02:12And to what extent can this visit to Venezuela to participate in this event also represent a further step in straightening relations between the two countries?
02:23President Nicolás Maduro has been in Russia on several occasions meeting with President Vladimir Putin and there is a strategic relationship between the two countries.
02:35Our countries truly maintain a strategic partnership.
02:38Last May a treaty was signed, the corresponding treaty,
02:44and we are very grateful and congratulate our friends in Venezuela on the recent rectification of that treaty.
02:56We are in the process of doing so, so that the strategic partnership now has a solid legal basis for joint action, exchange,
03:07maintaining relations, friendship and cooperation.
03:12We attach great importance to our ties with Latin American countries,
03:19and in that sense our joint work with CARECAs and within associations such as the Group of Friends for the Defence of the United Nations Charter,
03:35as well as within the framework of the International Movement against Colonialism and Neocolonialism is an important milestone in everything we do in that regard.
03:47The fight against Colonialism and Neocolonialism is an issue that deserves deep attention, deep attention from the entire international community because the remnants of Colonialism, the new practices of Neocolonialism in the world are a major obstacle to development.
04:13Not only for the countries we call the global majority, the countries of Asia, Africa and Latin America, but also major obstacle to the development of the global economy in general.
04:27That is why it is so important to restructure political and economic relations based on a truly multi-portal world so that neo-colonialist practices in the economy, political, social and cultural spheres no longer impede the global development we so desire.
04:55It is a huge task. It is not an easy task, but always keeping in mind the urgency and the need to broaden the circle of those who understand and are aware of the need to address this issue.
05:15It is a task we have before us in general terms also within the framework of the Forum now being held in Caracas.
05:27Russia, Russia is a country that defends multilateralism, a country that is participating precisely in this event, that challenges these new forms of Colonialism, yet every time a senior Russian official visits our region the dominant narrative is triggered and talk of Russian influence in Latin America is heard.
05:49What is your reaction to this type of approaches that attempt to subvert Russia's reality and objectives in the region? What is Russia seeking in Latin America?
05:59First, what's wrong with Russian influence in Latin America? Second, we developed our cooperation and established friendships that aren't against anyone. They are friendships that are in favour of our partners, in favour of our cooperation, in favour of development.
06:23And that's the most important thing. We believe that Latin America and the Caribbean are one of the most important focal points of this developing multilateral, multipolar world.
06:40With its own criteria and interest, we are ready and eager to take them into account when formulating the Russian Federation's foreign policy priorities.
06:53We believe that principles established in the United Nations Charter as well as in the founding documents of Latin American associations such as SALAC are one of the foundations of this dialogue, of this cooperation between different poles of power in a multipolar world.
07:21This is the basis of our interest. This is the basis of our desire to maintain and develop ties with Latin American countries. Of course, all of this is based on mutual interest. We are ready to develop cooperation with each of the Latin American countries to the extent that these countries have an interest.
07:49We have an interest and aspiration to develop ties with Russia and we can always count on Venezuela as one of our main partners in the region.
08:00We also arrived to the Caribbean, particularly in the Caribbean, when very close to us, in the waters near Venezuela, an entire fleet of the Sounder Command is deployed. To what extent this type of colonial practice, let's say, also determined by the false belief, as studies have shown, including those by the U.N.
08:28those by the UN and the United States itself that using the justification of
08:33drug trafficking can target a sovereign country like Venezuela we assume that
08:42the Western world is is very complicated for them in fact there is a profound
08:50crisis of understanding about their place in the developing world in the
08:57formation of these very important nutrients in the formation of a
09:02multi-polar truly multi-polar world there is an obsession with preserving
09:10structures that have already become obsolete but it is very difficult to
09:18confront these new trends as president Putin once said it is like the sunrise
09:27you can agree or disagree with us but the Sun rises every day likewise the
09:35emergence of a multi-polar world no one can resist this trend we regret but there
09:43are forces that want to play a very dangerous game with this situation you're
09:54absolutely right there is no objective pretext for this type of deployment of
10:01forces the fight against drug trafficking is an important issue but it isn't being
10:06done with such a large deployment of forces it is a shift through careful
10:12cooperation among all countries both drug producers and consumers it is an issue
10:23issue that deserves careful dedicated work by all the forces involved and not
10:30through such demonstrations and even more not through threats to the sovereignty and
10:37integrity of sovereign countries as it is the case with what is now unfolding in the
10:45southern Caribbean in these times we would like to wish our friends in Venezuela every courage every
10:54bravery and the firmness to not fall into provocations your firmness is key I can tell you that strength lies in
11:09the truth and the truth and the truth is with Venezuela Russia which knows war but
11:14also peace and reforms its relationship with Latin America in collaboration for peace
11:20Latin America has declared itself a territory of peace how can this peace be defended I believe it is our common task to
11:34consolidate the world to consolidate the world based on international law and trying in the
11:40charter of the United Nations and we along with Venezuela and other countries are part of the group of friends of the United Nations
11:50Charter I believe that consolidating the legal foundations of the multilateral political order is the most essential thing and we need to do
12:01Second I believe that cooperation among countries that aspire to this type of international relations is essential we must maintain ties we must maintain
12:19cooperative ties despite everything including despite the course of unilateral measures that countries with the potential of the
12:29the potentials try to take advantage of their position in the current financial and economic world I believe that joint work between our countries a connection a harmonization of our criteria for how to confront the irrational
12:57course of course of those who aspire to at the very least the use of force in international relations is the task for we all face before the world
13:04to what extent does this collaboration this rapprochement between Russia and Venezuela in this context of multipolarity in this context in which Venezuela faces a coercive and unilateral measures but at the same time is the
13:27It is one of the fastest growing countries in the region from an economic perspective the path will continue to be clear for Venezuela to eventually join the BRICS
13:34First of all we welcome the economic strength of Venezuela as well as that of Russia we grow despite the sanctions imposed on us even more so in Russia's case the imposition of sanctions is one of the
13:57sanctions gave a significant boost to the development of a productive sector even though they say that without sanctions we would have to invent them this means that our countries have sufficient internal strength to continue to develop of course
14:25Of course our participation in international cooperation associations of various compositions is important we know Venezuela's interest in joining BRICS and we support it BRICS is an association that makes decisions by consensus this means that
14:53that all countries must agree that all countries must agree to this even more now after the recent expansion of the BRICS the association is undergoing a process of readjustment to be able to work together in an expanded format a criteria for partner countries was established in the
15:23this means that all the way this means that there are opportunities and this means that there are opportunities for all the countries involved to participate in different forms in joint work
15:32I reiterate that
15:34we are in favor of Venezuela's closer association with the BRICS. There needs to be consensus with
15:46other countries in the association but have no doubt that Venezuela is an important player
15:56in these new forms of cooperation in the multi-bolar world. I'll go back what we were
16:05talking about regarding coercive measure because you were saying you were making an analogy with how
16:11Venezuela and Russia have dealt with them. What has been Russia's secret weapon to confront the
16:18sanctions and emerge stronger when other strong countries in Latin America, which you know very
16:25well, are being threatened and sanctioned by the United States. We rely on Russia's productive
16:35potential, its enormous productive potential, technological potential, people's potential.
16:43We believe it's necessary to create the right conditions for the national productive forces
16:54to have the opportunity for development and from there what we have in the country with the
17:02development of the industrial sector, the development of agricultural, scientific and technological sectors,
17:10all demonstrates that Russia's potential is enormous. We need to give it the conditions to develop,
17:20to unfold. That's what we have. And we are very pleased that despite all these actions, of course, sanctions
17:30always create problems. But we don't see problems as impediment. We see problems as a challenge
17:41and as an opportunity to overcome them. That's the point and that's how we move forward.
17:47Latin America and Russia are two distinct Western regions, but close in many ways, based on what you've
17:55been telling me and also because of the region's attitude towards Russia, Russia's especially military
18:04operation in Ukraine. A conflict generated by NATO and the United States in one of the so-called proxy wars.
18:13But how the region can contribute to the ultimate solution to this conflict created by the West?
18:23Some initiatives and proposals have already emerged from Latin America.
18:27I believe we will find ways to resolve the crisis.
18:38Our objectives have been very clear and clearly stated from the outset.
18:48We pursue the goal of de-enactifying and demilitarizing Ukraine. We pursue the goal
18:55the goal of removing the threat toward security from Russia's borders. We pursue the goal of consolidating
19:11and defending and defending the human rights of the Russian-speaking population living in the territories of Ukraine and Russia that were formerly part of Ukraine.
19:26Those are the goals and we will achieve them. It's better through diplomatic means. If not,
19:36we'll achieve this through current means. Although, of course, diplomatic means are preferable.
19:45So, from there we are ready to offer any support, any help in finding ways for the other side to understand this reality.
20:03From this arises a very important issue, the issue of ceasing military support with weapons for the other side.
20:14This is the line of turning Ukraine into a beachhead of actions against Russia,
20:32of dealing a strategic blow to my country. All these attempts are futile.
20:38All these attempts are doomed to failure. We'll see how that goes. But I think the most important thing is not to involve another country
20:56in direct negotiations, welcome as they may be. The most important thing is promoting cooperation,
21:04building equitable relations of mutual benefit in the international arena and the global economy.
21:13This is the contribution we all aspire to, so that the world
21:21that you are creating now becomes an equitable and multipolar one.
21:28Continuing with the topic of Russia's relationship with Latin America,
21:32and in connection with this event on colonialism in which you participated,
21:36it is striking that all issues related to Russia are viewed through the eyes of the disordered corporate
21:44media in Latin America. But thanks to Russia's presence and influence in our region, we have media from your country
21:53that the world can focus on the region to report on what is happening in the world from a Russian perspective.
22:02In the coming years, how can this relationship continue to develop so that Latin America can be better
22:10understand in Russia? First, I would like to salute the role Telesur plays in bringing the truth to all its viewers,
22:21to all its audiences watching in different Latin American countries and beyond.
22:28I believe that traditional media outlets, managed and manipulated by the political interest
22:38of the other side, well, have certain barriers to the future expansion of their political line.
22:51They can manipulate, they can deceive, they can say false things or say half-truths, which is almost the same as saying
23:00false things. The point is that the actual development of events requires an explanation, a justification,
23:20a realistic look at what is unfolding. From this, we see that even the media wish
23:30in the first years and months of the special military operation gave us a 100% anti-Russian narrative. Now show
23:48a touch of realism, because otherwise it is impossible to explain what's happening. We can stop talking about corruption in Ukraine,
23:56we can stop talking about the successes of the Russian army on the battlefield, we can stop talking about the problems facing Western countries, the United States and Europe in the economic and social spheres, and their connection to what they are doing on the international stage and in the global economy.
24:14All of these are objective facts. And I would always like to say that there is strength in the truth. And the truth is with us, with you and with us.
24:28And also with the Russian media outlets that support us in Latin America and the Caribbean, Sputnik Russia Today, with whom we also work together at Telesur.
24:42I'm very pleased that they have such a close cooperation. We will continue to do so. It's the good of our media. What's much more important is the good of the public, the good of its viewers, radio listeners and all those who want to know the truth.
25:03The aspiration to know the truth is invincible. And the truth will always find its way, no matter what the obstacles along the way.
25:22And I would like to thank you for your efforts. I would like to thank you for your efforts. I would like to thank you for what you're doing. You're doing a great job. Congratulations on this.
25:32And this mutual understanding also comes from bringing people together. Tourists from Russia are coming to the beaches of the Caribbean to Margarita Iceland and they are also visiting the beaches of Cuba.
25:47The Emirates. The Emirates Card System can already be used in some of our countries, in Venezuela, in Cuba. What's the next step for grading rapprochement between peoples, not just between governments?
26:03I believe we have a lot of work ahead of us, we need to make tourism more accessible, people do like to visit interesting new places, especially where they can enjoy financial comfort, comfortable accommodations, excellent weather and places to visit.
26:30And I think there is a lot of room for improvement in that regard. There are issues of youth ties, student ties, sports, cultural ties, exchanges in all aspects of so-called people's diplomacy, so that people can get to know each other better,
26:59see the natural, cultural and most importantly human beauties of the other side, established friendships and have this desire to return to places of interest and other friends.
27:17And what will be your final message, your meaningful message for that audience that follows us in Latin America and around the world, perhaps from one of the people in Russia who best knows Latin America?
27:32First of all, I would like to wish you peace, to wish you prosperity and to wish you a development and advancement, firmness and courage and peace and love in your families. I believe that is the most important thing.
27:50Thank you very much, Ambassador, for joining us for learning about Russia's perspective on Venezuela and Latin America here on Telesur.
28:01Thank you very much for your attention.
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