MOSCOW, December 10. /TASS/. Moscow did not initiate tensions in relations with Western countries, including the United States, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said at an international conference dubbed The Role of Parliaments in Today’s World, dedicated to the 25th anniversary of the Russian Federation Council (the upper house of parliament).
According to him, Western countries seek to achieve their goals through sanctions and pressure, as well as through information warfare. "I would like to point out that this is not our choice. We did not initiate global tensions and a decline in relations with our partners, including the United States," Karasin said.
In this regard he pointed to the ongoing anti-Russian campaign. "Unfortunately, attempts are still being made to play the Ukrainian card in an unscrupulous political game," he said. "What is happening in that region, as well as in the Middle East and other hotbeds of tensions, proves that the export of ready-made development models leads to political instability and the growth of political problems," the Russian deputy foreign minister noted.
"Respect for people’s right to decide their future should become an immutable international rule," he stressed. "I am confident that people all over the world will hear and support calls for reason."