KAZAN, May 15. /TASS/.  The West is demonstrating double standards by failing to condemn — and even attempting to justify — blatant aggression, the head of the Tatarstan Region, Rustam Minnikhanov, said at a meeting of the Russia–Islamic World Strategic Vision Group in Kazan.

"Today, the world is undergoing a complex process of transition toward a multipolar order. This has provoked open hostility from a number of powers that gained economic and political advantages through the exploitation of other countries’ resources and have grown accustomed to the logic of global domination. In an effort to preserve the status quo, they employ a broad range of coercive measures, including sanctions, blackmail, and threats of military force. The imposition of ideological frameworks that contradict traditional spiritual values has become one of the forms of interference in the affairs of sovereign states. The concept of a rules-based world order has resulted in US-Israeli aggression against Iran and the subsequent spread of armed confrontation across the Middle East. This has been accompanied by the destruction of infrastructure and the disruption of international cooperation networks built over decades. At the same time, the so-called collective West is once again demonstrating double standards by failing to condemn and even justifying blatant aggression," Minnikhanov said.

He emphasized that the group’s leadership shares the position articulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin that the attack on Iran constitutes unprovoked aggression with no grounds or justification.

"The problems surrounding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict remain acute and pressing, including the humanitarian disasters that have emerged there, atrocities committed by Israeli settlers, and restrictions on access to the Islamic holy site of Al-Aqsa Mosque. Our country has always advocated the implementation of UN Security Council resolutions, above all the creation of an independent and sovereign Palestinian state. The Russia–Islamic World Group reaffirms its commitment to the principles of equality and justice, as well as respect for the cultural and civilizational identity of peoples," Minnikhanov noted.

According to him, the group’s future activities will focus on strengthening mutual trust by fostering a constructive atmosphere for dialogue and cooperation in the field of public diplomacy.

The meeting is being held as part of the international economic event Russia–Islamic World: KazanForum. TASS is its general media partner.