In the face of constant accusations from Western powers, Moscow said it was not to blame for the rise in tensions and called for an end to what it called “mass anti-Russian psychosis.”
The comments were attributed to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov by Reuters. Peskov also denied to reporters that Russia had any involvement in a 2014 explosion at a Czech ammunition depot, something Moscow had just been accused of.
On Tuesday, the Czech Republic announced it was expelling 18 Russian diplomats over the alleged 2014 attack and asked NATO and EU countries to do the same in “solidarity.” The Czech move comes after the US slapped sanctions on Russia and expelled 10 Russian diplomats over its own accusations against Moscow.
Piling on to the anti-Russia sentiment, the US State Department slammed Moscow on Monday for limiting foreign military activity in parts of the Black Sea, calling it an “unprovoked escalation.”
According to the Russian news agency Tass, from April 24th to October 31st, “navigation of foreign naval ships and other state vessels in some parts of the Black Sea in Russia’s territorial waters will be suspended.”
Limiting military activity in its territorial waters is hardly an escalation by Russia, and the move is clearly a response to reports of Western powers planning to send warships into the Black Sea.
There is no rational way for Russia to deal with a reality TV show production of evil Russia. Stories eventually grow into myths — all pointing out to Russia being the pariah state.
Russia exercised patience, not wishing to go there — down the rabbit hole into the world of Mad Hatters.
But the fun is up — when security red lines are crossed. Russia is responding to war drums, and is raising its preparedness level. The question remains — what should Russia do with a long list of “grievances”? Push back or ignore?
Perhaps when a nuclear powers start thinking war — does anyone care where are Skripals?
Russia is just ensuring Freedom of Navigation for commercial shipping.
There is plenty of blame to go around. Russia is far from blameless.
However, yes there is an anti-Russian psychosis. It is used and abused by partisans for domestic political advantage in the US. It was used to explain away the defeat of Hillary, and to threaten supporters to get in line behind Biden. It was used to smear Trump, as if there wasn’t already enough to smear him.
Foreign policy done as a tool of domestic political advantage is suicidal unless the foreign world is powerless and helpless before ANYTHING that domestic politics might do. For a brief time, the US actually did have that power, but not any more. Now it is purely dangerous, but it keeps happening anyway.