Grushko: The West’s struggle to preserve hegemony is destabilizing the Balkans

The multipolar world is already a reality, and countries must now position themselves correctly within the given circumstances, said Alexander Grushko, who took part in a forum on geopolitical developments in Europe held at the Administrative Centre of the Government of Republika Srpska.

“Russia will also advocate for that reality to be reflected in the way decisions are made within the United Nations,” Grushko said.

However, the Russian deputy foreign minister warned that the West still views the Balkans as its zone of influence. He described the role of Christian Schmidt as a mechanism used by the West to undermine international law.

“Unfortunately, I can state the following: this struggle of the West to preserve its hegemony destabilizes the Balkans, because it places Balkan states in an artificial dilemma — if you are not with us, you are our opponents. Balkan countries are deprived of the right to pursue independent policies, total submission and total capitulation are demanded, and politicians who dare to place national interests above themselves are demonized,” Grushko said.

Grushko also stressed that Russia maintains a principled position against the Office of the High Representative.

“The Steering Board of the Peace Implementation Council decided as far back as 2006 that the OHR should be closed. When Valentin Inzko ended his mandate, Christian Schmidt came after him, and representatives of Germany came to us regarding that matter,” Grushko said.

He added that Germany had tried to persuade Russia not to oppose Schmidt’s candidacy in the United Nations Security Council, but that the Russian side made clear it would neither consider the candidacy nor debate whether Schmidt was suitable.

“Then the so-called rules-based order came into force, and they simply brought Schmidt to Bosnia and Herzegovina. The Russian Federation does not recognize him, and we live in that situation today. Our position has not changed. I can assure you that our leadership continuously raises the issue of illegitimacy in the Security Council,” Grushko said.

Source: RTRS