- a new “Iron Curtain” would harm Russia
- Moscow will not seek to rebuild it and others will not be able to
- Russia is not isolated over the crisis in Ukraine
Following on from foreign minister Lavrov’s accusation yesterday of the West seeking regime change in Moscow the president is also out on the front foot today in comments reported by Tass
We understand the fatality of an “Iron Curtain” for us
We will not go down this path in any case and no one will build a wall around us. That is impossible
It’s far from certain that sanctions, sharp falls in the oil price and the depreciation of the national currency will cause negative effects or catastrophic consequences only for us. No such thing will happen
Reuters has more here
Meanwhile in Germany the foreign minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has told Der Spiegel magazine he has concerns that Russia is seeking to split up Ukraine by supporting separatists in the east and urged further dialogue with Putin’s government.
I’m taking Russia at its word that it doesn’t want to destroy the unity of Ukraine.
The reality, however, is speaking a different language.
As always with these posts I’m just reporting the news, so make sure you play nicely in that comments section!
Putin – Careful about pointing the finger of blame but says a new Iron Curtain “is impossible”
