Zeman: punishment only reinforces the myth of Russia as a besieged fortress

Punishment of the West against Russia do not work, and only reinforce the myth of Russia As a "besieged fortress," said the Czech leader Milos Zeman.
"Anti-Russian punishment, introduced from Western countries, have not been well enforced. They only help to strengthen the myth of the besieged fortress, which leads to further growth in the popularity of President Vladimir Putin among the Russian citizens, " - said Zeman at Prague economic forum." Russia feels surrounded and looking for enemies as well, and where none exist, "- said the head of the Czech Republic, RIA " Novosti ". According to Zeman, if you can implement the Minsk consensus, economic Relations Between Russia and the Czech Republic have an opportunity to have a year or two to return to normal.
Referring to his foreign trips, the Czech leader said that selects routes based on the specific situation in each country." (My) political visits have meaning, where (local) head affects Almost everyone, " said Zeman. For this reason, according to his vision, so important his visits to countries such As Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, which he recently visited, as well as Azerbaijan, where he is going in September and where the Czech Republic receives about 10% of necessary oil. Relations between Russia and the West deteriorated in connection with the situation in Ukraine. The EU and the US on the background reached in Minsk agreements Between Kiev and militias Donbass about stopping the fire entered against Russia punishment, against the financial, oil and defense industries. However, in March, Russia's envoy to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said that a critical attitude to the sanctions against Russia from a number of EU members increases. In addition, the media said that Italy, Greece and Cyprus, as well as Spain, Austria, Hungary and Slovakia, whose leaders visited the capital of Russia, May not support the extension of sanctions against Russia. Remember also, fifteen April, the Czech government approved the visit of the President of the Republic milo? Zeman in the capital of Russia, on 8 and 9 may to participate in the festivities on the issue of the 70th anniversary of Victory in the great Patriotic war. As reported before the print edition OPINION, before the government gave its consent to the head arrived to the Russian Federation, but on the condition that he will exclude from its programme presence at the Victory parade. Remember, 10 April stated that Zeman has decided not to attend the military parade in Moscow on 9 may. First of Zeman did not exclude the possibility of his presence at the military parade on may 9 on red square. This provoked strong criticism in the country As opposition from right-wing parties, and part of Ministers, linking together the anniversary military parade and the situation in Ukraine. Because of this, in the environment long after midnight has proved unsuccessful discussions at the meeting of the government devoted to the trip landed in the capital of Russia. In addition, dissatisfaction with the visit of the Czech President in the capital of Russia was expressed by the U.S. Ambassador in Prague Andrew Shapiro. In response to This Zeman said that now the door of Prague castle (the residence of the President of the Czech Republic) for Shapiro closed.


sections: Politics