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Электронное приложение к журналу «
Международная жизнь
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The Baltic States
Alexander Veshnyakov
, Ambassador Extraordinary and
Plenipotentiary to the Republic of Latvia: The situation in the
Baltic region is far from simple. The Baltic States are highly sus-
ceptible to strong influence from overseas, and in unconven-
tional situations they always clearly adhere to the line followed
by our partner across the ocean. Importantly, I think that some-
times they even begin to understand that this is not always in
their best interests. Why am I saying this? Because representa-
tives of the business community who work there, as well as
politicians, realize that cooperation with such a great neighbor as Russia is a very profitable business.
At present, economic sanctions against us are being discussed. Those who are working in areas linked to
Russia understand very well that these sanctions will most of all affect the little country that to a very large
degree depends on trade cooperation with Russia.
So I hope that common sense among those who are making decisions on sanctions will ultimately prevail.
This is, above all, the European Union. The EU's new leadership, which is now coming to power following
the recent elections to the European Parliament, may possibly have more pragmatism, realism and inde-
pendence in formulating positions on crisis situations. As for the Republic of Latvia, I suppose it, too, will
not always be "putting the cart before the horse."
The Arab East
Boris Bolotin
, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary
to the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan: Our relations with Jor-
dan are developing quite successfully. On the whole - I am say-
ing this it quite objectively, because I have spent all recent years
in the Middle Eastern region - Russia's role and standing have
grown there. This has happened due to our country's stance on
the Syrian crisis. There have been resounding anti-Russian cam-
paigns in Arab media, and they are continuing to date. How
many incantations there have been to the effect that "Russia is
losing the Arab world" and that it "is losing its traditional
friends"! All of that turned out to be empty speculation: I can only say once again that respect for Russia
is growing.
The Ukrainian crisis, too, has strengthened Russia's independent, important role on the international arena.
And Arabs - in their majority - have even greater respect for Russia as a result.
Needless to say, the region is going through a very difficult, complicated period. It would be right to say
that geopolitical shifts are happening, especially in Iraq. The situation that we are seeing today is very dan-
gerous. After all, the integrity both of Iraq and of some other states in the region is now in jeopardy. So
there is a need for coordinated international efforts, a need for even closer contacts with Arab countries in
order to stop this course of events and turn away from the military into the political field, including both
in Syria and in Iraq.