MOSCOW, June 20. /TASS/. Washington has failed to implement its plans of containing Russia’s economic development. Neither has it succeeded to drag many of Russia’s partners into a trade and economic, as well as diplomatic boycott of it, Valentina Matviyenko, speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, or upper parliament house, said on Monday.
"We see Washington seeking to drag many of our partners, including in Latin America, into a trade-and-economic and diplomatic boycott of Russia through blackmailing, bribing and threatening. The key goal is to contain Russia’s development and its growing influence stemming from its independent foreign policy on thee global arena. Washington has failed once again - its economic blitzkrieg has failed. They sought to tear Russia’s economy into pieces but it did not happen," she said at a meeting with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister Ricardo Cabrisas.
She stressed that despite the unprecedented anti-Russian sanctions, the economic situation in the country is quite stable and friendly relations with Russia’s traditional partners, including in Latin America, have not been severed. "Attempts at stifling and isolating Russia have failed," she added.
According to the Russian upper house speaker, the West is deliberately seeking to wreck the entire system of international relations and the United States and NATO have embarked on a path of global confrontation again. "A serious challenge has been thrown out to Russia. Obviously, neither the United States nor the European Union have ever tried to look for a common solution to common problems. And their refusal from a substantive discussion of Russia’s security guarantee initiatives was of principal importance for us," she said.
In her words, Russia has understanding of how to ensure its further economic and social development in the new environment. "And the results of the United Nations voting proves that we are on the right side of history. Countries, where more than 70% of the planet’s population live, are against the anti-Russian resolutions," she stressed.
According to Matviyenko, Russia respects Cuba and its people. "We will spare no effort to continue our historic ties, our friendship, our mutually beneficial cooperation despite any obstacles and restrictions," she added.