America’s Unwise Sanctions against China and Russia

China and Russia are seeking an international order that is “fair, democratic … that adheres to the principles of […] multilateralism,” assured Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who was recently in the Asian capital for an official two-day visit to keep an appointment with his Chinese counterpart, Wang Yi.

Lavrov denounced the policy of sanctions from Western countries, led by the U.S., and indicated that they were particularly harmful for poor developing countries during the pandemic, as it had restricted these countries’ ability to guarantee a normal life for their citizens.

“No wonder that United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres and U.N. High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet later on came out with an initiative to freeze sanctions and make reservations from them for goods essential for the population amid the coronavirus infection,” he stressed.

According to the Russian diplomat, Western nations have ignored the U.N.’s initiatives, just as they ignored Russian President Vladimir Putin’s efforts to establish a green corridor free of sanctions and other artificial barriers, as reported by Telesur.

For Lavrov, the U.S. hides behind ignorance of these initiatives and has pressured its Western associates to dismiss the sanction-lifting.

The Russian ambassador stated that the “the model of interaction between Russia and China is absolutely free from any ideological constraints. It is of an intrinsic nature, not subject to any opportunistic factors nor against any third country.”

The diplomat indicated that the world is undergoing “profound changes” because of the “new centers of economic, financial and political influence growing stronger,” which he assured “will take us to a sincerely multipolar system.”

“However, these objective developments, which are leading to the formation of a truly multipolar and democratic world, are unfortunately being hindered by Western countries, particularly the United States,” he said, adding that the U.S. is attempting to continue dominating the global economy and will impose its will and requirements on others at any cost.

China is really Russia’s strategic associate and their mutually trusted and respectful dialogue should serve as an example to other countries, he emphasized.

“Current Russia-China relations are assessed both by our national leaders and citizens as the best in their entire history. This is a well-deserved and fair assessment,” Lavrov told Xinhua and other media outlets in an online interview ahead of his visit to China on Monday and Tuesday.

“Russia-China relations are marked by comprehensive partnership and strategic coordination, which have entered a new era,” the Russian diplomat announced.

In his opinion, the bilateral links have reached an unprecedented level, thanks to the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation, of which Russia and China are both signatories since July 2001.

This year that treaty celebrates its 20th anniversary and Lavrov praised the “dynamic” cooperation between Russia and China in the last two decades and describe the pact as a “historic” document that has established political and legal bases for a new type of relationships between the two countries.

“The model of interaction between Russia and China is absolutely free from any ideological constraints. It is of an intrinsic nature, not subject to any opportunistic factors nor against any third country,” he stressed.

Russia and China are promoting a constructive and unified agenda and hope that the system of international governance is just and democratic, that functions without mishaps and that is based on the extensive interaction between the countries and their integration initiatives.

“The cooperation between Russia and China in the international arena has a generally stabilizing effect in the regional and global situation,” he said, adding that “the mutually trusted and respectful dialogue should serve as an example for other countries.”

“For us, China is a true strategic partner and like-minded friend. Our cooperation in the international arena will have a stabilizing effect on the global and regional situation.”

Lavrov highlighted the tradition of hosting year-long events together since 2006, such as national projects, youth projects, tourism initiatives, language events and other such initiatives. As a consequence, the Russia-China friendship base has been strengthened in a significant way and relations have been enriched.

The Russian ambassador pointed out that more than 100 events have been planned for the Year of Russian-Chinese Scientific, Technical and Innovation Cooperation in 2020-2021, highlighting that they’d already hosted a few events and conferences on the exchange of experiences fighting COVID-19.

“We have maintained very close cooperation since the very first reports on COVID-19 cases. Both sides immediately provided mutual assistance: we rendered aid to our Chinese friends, and then they helped Russians,” he recalled.

Lavrov ended with: “I will emphasize once again that we have set an example to all countries on how to build relations with each other.”