Among the recent Russia-related news dominating the mass media, there was one particular editorial published in the New Straits Times on June 28 that piqued our interest.
We fully and completely share the columnist's idea that Russia has a right to be Russia, which, in our view, means that it is to the discretion of our country to decide on the approach to both domestic and foreign policies in ensuring national interests and security.
Shaping a more just and equitable multipolar world order based on international law, as well as on the provisions of the United Nations Charter, is our top priority.
We will not embrace some made-up "rules" that the so-called "Collective West" is trying to impose on the rest of the global community.
These "rules" imply that the West, an embodiment of hegemony, is always right, leaving no room for alternative points of view.
The recently attempted mutiny organised by the Wagner Group has been quickly and professionally resolved. The situation in Russia is as stable as ever, even though our adversaries are trying to instil in people's minds that there are widening "cracks" in the Russian society.
I would like to stress the significant role of the Russian people, who stood against the mutineers out to subvert the constitutional order.
Wagner soldiers' heroic feats are well-recognised and widely admired. This fact notwithstanding, the actions of Wagner's leader qualified as a stab in the back, betrayal in its purest form.
The article draws a fair analogy with the February revolution in 1917, when personal interests and morbid thirst for power led to a national catastrophe claiming millions of lives. This time, such a development was timely thwarted thanks to the strong public support of our president.
The results of this treason flew in the face of the West's anticipations — the situation at the front remained intact, so did the goals of the special military operation. This is of utmost importance, especially now that we see Western countries intensifying efforts to further undermine Russia's security by pumping up Ukraine with deadly weapons and Kiev the regime purging everything Russian, including our culture and language.
It was the West that subverted a peace deal in March 2022, ordering its puppet Kiev regime to resume hostilities with the aim of inflicting "strategic defeat" on Russia.
We have always emphasised that we are open to consider any serious peace proposal, and we are yet to see one. By and large, we only hear idle talk about some "peace summit". How is it possible to attain peace without Russia's participation?
We also share the author's point of view that the conflict in Ukraine tells on the global economy. We are convinced that unilateral and illegitimate anti-Russian sanctions are the root of all the difficulties the world is facing today. These limitations are preventing Russian goods from reaching global markets, primarily countries in the Global South.
We managed to mitigate the effect of the restrictions imposed on our country, and now our economy is proving resilient, showing signs of robust growth. Under such circumstances, the concerted effort of the Global South to defend their national interests is crucial. Trade in commodities and food products should be handled by these countries rather than by Washington, Brussels, or the rest of the acquisitive bunch of self-proclaimed international policemen and judges.
This is the only way to forestall the "domino effect" mentioned by the writer. In view of the foregoing, I would like to note that we absolutely agree with Prime
Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim that it is time to topple the dollar from its throne, especially in Asia, to which Russia and Malaysia both belong.
We do not want to force the de-dollarisation process, as recently our president said. However, we can support its normal course by promoting the use of national and other currencies in our trade and even in everyday life.
Finally, I really hope that my solo voice in favour of Russia and all others, who are under unprecedented pressure from the West, can be well heard despite the deafening howl of Western and pro-Western propaganda.
* The writer is the Russian ambassador to Malaysia
