Comment by Permanent Representative of Russia to the EU Vladimir Chizhov for “Die Welt”

Опубликовано ср, 02/16/2022 - 09:25

Could you please comment on statements that Russia plans to attack Ukraine as early as this Wednesday?

Wars in Europe rarely start on Wednesdays… This may not be a strong enough guarantee, but I can assure you that, as far as Russia is concerned, there will be no attack this coming Wednesday. Nor will there be any escalation next week or the week after, or next month. Moreover, if our partners finally listen to our legitimate concerns, a process of détente will not be long in coming, in the interest of all the Europeans from Lisbon to Vladivostok, as well as all other nations of the world.

If you make accusations – especially such very serious accusations against Russia – you bear the burden of providing evidence. Otherwise it is slander. This is what the legal tradition, which underpins European civilisation, teaches. So where is the evidence? It seems to be in the same place as international law, forgotten and supplanted by the notorious “rules-based world order”. However, Russia has already shown many times throughout its history what are the consequences that await those who want to impose their “new order” on it.