Russia’s Futile Diplomatic Outreach to the US
by Stephen Lendman (stephenlendman.org – Home – Stephen Lendman)
Republicans and undemocratic Dems don’t negotiate. They demand, the way it’s been since the Clinton co-presidency.
Things hardened under its successors, notably by the Trump regime, its geopolitical agenda run by psychopathic neocon extremists – why dealing with them diplomatically accomplishes nothing.
Both nations are ideological opposites, major differences between them irreconcilable. While Russia seeks cooperative relations with other countries, the US demands subordination by all other nations to its interests.
Russia observes international laws, norms and standards. The US repeatedly flouts them, operating by its own rules exclusively.
Moscow respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all countries – free from foreign interference. It supports world peace and stability, urging diplomatic resolution of differences between nations – an unattainable objective in dealings with the US, a one-party state fantasy democracy with two extremist right wings.
Its ruling class considers Russia their mortal enemy, on their target list for regime change, risking unthinkable nuclear war, a doomsday scenario if launched.
Its officials can never be trusted, time and again pledging one thing, then doing something entirely different.
Ruling authorities of both countries are world’s apart on Venezuela. On March 18 and 19, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov is meeting with Trump regime point man for toppling Venezuela’s Maduro and eliminating Bolivarian social democracy – convicted felon/unindicted war criminal Elliott Abrams.
On March 16, a Trump regime statement said the following:
“…Abrams will meet with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov and other Russian officials in Rome March 18-19 to discuss the deteriorating situation (sic) in Venezuela. (He’ll) also meet with Italian officials, including Prime Minister Diplomatic Advisor Pietro Benassi.”
Two days of talks will accomplish nothing. Both sides will reiterate their positions on Venezuela, their world’s apart agendas remaining unchanged.
Ahead of the meeting, Ryabkov called US military intervention in Venezuela “unacceptable.” International law leaves no ambiguity.
Intervening in the internal affairs of other nations is flagrantly illegal – the highest of high crimes when attacking them, what the US does repeatedly.
It seeks control over Venezuela, notably its world’s largest oil reserves and other valued resources. It wants another imperial trophy, the nation’s social democracy eliminated.
Weeks earlier, Putin called Maduro, expressing Russian support and solidarity with the Bolivarian Republic. He denounced “destructive external interference.”
Separately, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said “(w)e regard Washington’s unceremonious actions (in Venezuela) as yet another demonstration of its total disregard for the norms and principles of international law, and an attempt to pose as the self-imposed master of another nation’s future.”
“The United States is clearly trying to apply a tried and tested regime change scenario in Venezuela.”
“We are especially alarmed by the signals we have received from some capitals on the possibility of foreign military interference. We warn that such opportunism can have catastrophic consequences.”
“Venezuelans alone have the right to determine their future. Any destructive foreign interference, especially amid the current tensions, is completely unacceptable. Incitement has nothing in common with a democratic process. It is a direct path towards lawlessness and violence.”
What’s key is for Russia to back its sharply worded remarks with toughness. Rhetoric alone with the US is futile, why meeting with Abrams in Rome is a waste of time.
Putin, Lavrov, Ryabkov, and other Russian officials must make clear to Trump regime hardliners that they won’t tolerate their rage to topple Maduro, stressing Moscow will defend Venezuelan sovereignty.
It intervened in Syria to combat US-supported terrorists. Something similar is needed in Venezuela, sending peacekeepers to the country my favored option.
It’s a way to deter US military intervention, risking direct confrontation with Russia if its personnel on the ground are harmed.
As for Ryabkov’s meeting with Abrams, he should have stayed home, using his time and energy more productively – instead of wasting two days in Rome accomplishing nothing.
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My newest book as editor and contributor is titled "Flashpoint in Ukraine: How the US Drive for Hegemony Risks WW III."
