On Tuesday, May 19, an intra-factional group headed by the First Deputy Head of the United Russia
faction Adalbi Shkhagoshev
Adalby Lyulevich
held a meeting with the participation of the Deputy
Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Ryabkov via
teleconference.
The main topic of discussion was the cooperation between the USA, Russia and China after the end of the coronavirus pandemic. Sergey Ryabkov emphasized that Russia's policy has always been based on respect, non-interference in the internal affairs of other states, and openness to dialogue.
Adalbi Shkhagoshev asked the opinion of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on parliamentary diplomacy and cooperation between these three states and the rest of the world after the pandemic and on the role of the annual international parliamentary forum “Development of Parliamentarism” initiated by the State Duma. The Deputy Minister noted the importance of holding that forum after the pandemic: “This is our principal difference from the United States, trying to cast aside parliamentary diplomacy with China. Such events provide a unique opportunity for direct communication, addressing issues, but also for preparing recommendations for the executive authorities. ” At the same time, Sergey Ryabkov stressed the willingness of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to take part in the development of conference programme documents and recommendations.
Anton Gorelkin
Anton Vadimovich
,
a member of the Committee on Informational Policy, Technologies and Communications, raised the issue of development of COVID-19 vaccine: if one of the states became the first to develop such a vaccine, should it be shared with
others. The representative of the Foreign Ministry said that there are
international agreements on this subject, but, of course, the disagreement of the United States can be expected, but more countries regard the situation
adequately.
During the meeting, they also discussed Russia's position in relation to World Health Organization (WHO) investigation initiated by Japan and the EU with US support in regard to a possible concealment of facts about the pandemic outbreak; US allegations of Apple company of collaboration with Russia; members of the State Duma also asked how the US sanctions policy would change after the world pandemic; also paid attention to the issue of taking Russian citizens back from foreign states.
According to Sergey Ryabkov, the Russian Foreign Ministry is against politicizing of each issue related to the spread of the coronavirus.
“We support the idea of finding solutions arising in a number of states that would allow us to reach a more effective solution to the pandemic challenges, and to consolidate the WHO role, to prevent its weakening and turning into a platform for settling political scores,” the Deputy Minister said.
As for the US sanctions policy after the pandemic, the Russian Foreign Ministry does not expect that the consequences of COVID-19 and its lessons will reason with those politicians in Washington who are obsessed with the idea of sanctions pressure on their geopolitical opponents. “This is a reality to be dealt with, and the answer to this may include further consolidation in resisting such pressure, moving away from dollar dependency as a universal means of payment, finding opportunities for accelerated technological development in spite of the impediments and obstacles that the US and the allies have been creating and continue to create”, said Sergey Ryabkov.
