Moscow, Nov 5 (EFE).- Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Western ambassadors who presented their credentials to him in the Kremlin on Tuesday that Russia does not seek confrontation, but rather “mutually beneficial” cooperation.
“Russia has always been and remains committed to the logic of mutually beneficial cooperation and does not seek confrontation,” Putin said during an official ceremony at the Grand Kremlin Palace.
Putin mentioned the twelve countries present in the Alexander Chamber – Japan, Canada, Malta, Albania, New Zealand, Italy, Spain, Ireland, Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands and Finland – that adopted sanctions against Russia, so they are considered “unfriendly.”
«I am not revealing any secrets if I say that bilateral contacts between our countries have been reduced to a minimum, both at the official, business and social level. Cooperation on important regional and international issues has been frozen,” he commented.
However, he expressed his confidence that a rational and balanced vision of cooperation with Russia will “prevail” in the future.
Referring to all the diplomats present – among them the Spanish Ricardo Martínez Vázquez -, Putin stressed that his country’s foreign policy is “constructive” and takes into account both its national interests and objective trends in world development.
He assured that Moscow is open to cooperation “with all countries without exceptions”, as long as the principles of equality, non-interference and respect for international law are respected.
As an example, he gave the recent summit of the BRICS group in the Russian city of Kazan, which was attended by representatives of more than thirty European, Asian, Latin American and African countries.
“We advocate the formation of a fair system of international economic relations, free from unfair competition, unilateral sanctions and politically motivated restrictions,” he added.
Putin also mentioned Argentina among the countries with which Moscow maintains a friendly relationship, although its president, Javier Milei, revoked the request to join the BRICS after coming to power.
The Argentine ambassador, Enrique Ignacio Ferrer Vieyra, was one of those who presented his credentials to the head of the Kremlin on Tuesday.
In total, 28 ambassadors participated in the ceremony, including the Israeli one, to which Putin assured that Russia is doing everything possible to prevent “a big war in the Middle East.”
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**Interview with Dr. Elena Ivanova, Political Analyst**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Dr. Ivanova. We just learned about President Putin’s remarks during the credential presentation for Western ambassadors. He emphasized Russia’s desire for “mutually beneficial” cooperation. What do you think he aims to achieve with this message?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Thank you for having me. I believe President Putin is trying to project an image of openness and willingness to engage diplomatically, despite the ongoing tensions with Western countries. By expressing this desire for cooperation, he aims to counteract Western narratives that portray Russia as an aggressive actor and to create a more favorable atmosphere for dialogue.
**Interviewer:** He mentioned the countries that are considered “unfriendly” due to sanctions. How do you think this terminology affects diplomatic relations?
**Dr. Ivanova:** The use of the term “unfriendly” is significant; it clearly delineates Russia’s stance on these countries. It shows that Putin is aware of the geopolitical landscape and the challenges posed by sanctions. However, it also serves as a barrier to dialogue, as labeling countries in this way can harden attitudes and reduce the likelihood of productive negotiations.
**Interviewer:** During the ceremony, Putin noted that bilateral contacts have shrunk. In your view, what impact does this reduction have on international relations?
**Dr. Ivanova:** A decrease in bilateral contacts negatively affects trust-building mechanisms. When countries do not engage at various levels—official, business, or social—it fosters misunderstanding and may lead to escalation of conflicts over time. This lack of interaction makes it difficult to resolve issues in a constructive manner. It’s a cyclical problem: reduced contact leads to increased tension, which in turn discourages further interaction.
**Interviewer:** Given the current global context, what strategies do you believe Russia might pursue to regain diplomatic engagement with Western nations?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Russia could adopt a multi-faceted approach. They might seek to establish communication channels through third-party nations that maintain good relations with both sides. Additionally, focusing on shared interests—such as economic cooperation or addressing global challenges like climate change—could also provide a platform for re-engagement. However, this would require a delicate balancing act to manage domestic perceptions and ensure that any steps towards dialogue do not appear as a sign of weakness.
**Interviewer:** Lastly, do you think Putin’s remarks will have any tangible effects on the relationships with the countries present?
**Dr. Ivanova:** Any tangible effects will likely depend on the responses from the ambassadors and their governments. If they reciprocate with an open approach, it could lead to more dialogue. However, if they continue to view Russia as a threat and maintain their distance, it’s unlikely that we’ll see significant change. It ultimately depends on both sides’ willingness to move forward.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Dr. Ivanova, for your insights into this important subject.
**Dr. Ivanova:** Thank you for the discussion. I appreciate the opportunity to share my views.
