Moldova
Friday 1 November 2019
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“The annual training exercises for young ‘civil activists’ from 15 countries were held in the capital of Moldova -- in an atmosphere of strict secrecy and with American money, volunteers were told about strategies for fighting the authorities, [and] about the organization of and media support for mass protests.”
Open source information debunks the claim that #CampCamp2019 is a base for planning protests and the overthrow of the government. The U.S. was not the sole sponsor -- it was a multinational effort. Videos from the forum were shared openly via social media. -
“The Ukrainian Navy’s claims that the Black Sea Fleet’s Smetlivy patrol vessel entered the closed area of the Sea Breeze 2019 exercise are untrue.”
Whether or not the Russian guided-missile destroyer Smetlivy sailed into a zone being used for multinational naval live-fire drills, the ship was present in the vicinity of the drills. Russia is demonstratively aggressive toward NATO’s presence in the Black Sea. -
"I understand that some countries would like to forget as soon as possible about the role that they played in the years of prior to World War II. However, I deem those attempts to accuse us of militarizing public opinion as offensive."
Many countries distort or omit inconvenient facts from their pre-World War II history, but Russia has all but eliminated the most difficult discussions from its state education system. One man was even fined for posting factual information. -
“The latest wave of anti-Russian sanctions is related not to our relations with the Americans but to the domestic problems in the United States.”
Russia's PM claims a tougher version of anti-Russian sanctions proposed last year is a “domestic” U.S. affair, unrelated to bilateral ties. But while efforts to pass sanctions in the U.S. have hit domestic hurdles, the sanctions themselves were drafted in reaction to Moscow’s international acts. -
"The decision is clearly political in its nature and, as a matter of fact, is practically censorship — seven [Facebook] pages belonging to our news hubs in neighboring countries have been blocked.”
Sputnik cried “censorship” after Facebook removed 364 Facebook pages and accounts for engaging in “coordinated inauthentic behavior.” But while Sputnik charged the pages were removed for their politically-motivated content, Facebook says it was a matter of “misrepresentations of their identities.” -
“I note that we’ve never, even in the days of tsarist Russia, killed people for dissent. This, by the way, is the great strength of our people.”
Tsarist Russia and the Soviet Union have persecuted dissidents, sometimes using capital punishment. Modern Russia has abolished the death penalty, although a number of dissidents and journalists have been murdered, their cases remaining unsolved. -
“It’s a provocation, specifically to coerce the Russian delegation to slam the door and pull out of PACE.”
The Council of Europe’s Parliamentary Assembly's letter sent to Russia and all other member states proved Slutsky’s claim was false. The letter said all PACE delegations should include at least “one member of the under-represented sex appointed as a representative.” -
“We love and are proud of President Vladimir Putin, because he is a friend of Palestine and not only Palestine, but all the people who are seeking freedom. President Putin succeeded in restoring Russia’s authority in the international arena and forced all to respect Russia.”
Independent polls show trust and respect for Russia and its president has significantly decreased globally. Under Vladimir Putin’s leadership, Russia has suppressed insurgencies in Chechnya and in Syria. Moscow has lost its membership or voting privileges in multiple international organizations. -
“This demonstration of power potential is taking place in close proximity to Russian borders and has a clear anti-Russian orientation. Northern Europe and the Baltic region, previously calm militarily, are turning into a training ground for simulating large-scale military operations, setting up public opinion for the possibility of their transformation into a real theater of war.”
NATO began beefing up its forces in Eastern Europe to deter a potential Russian military threat after Moscow’s brief war with Georgia in 2008, followed by the annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and orchestration of a pro-Russian uprising in eastern Ukraine. -
”On July 4, 2016, the Polish side temporarily suspended the Agreement on Local Border Traffic under the pretext of holding the NATO Summit in Warsaw and the World Youth Day in Krakow... The events that triggered the above actions by Warsaw have long passed. But the Polish side is not eager to end the impasse, which is very surprising…As of today, Poland does not show interest in resuming the LBT. As a result, people's interests on both sides of the border are affected.”
Open border policy and free movement of goods and people is one of the founding principles of the European Union. However, Russia’s annexation of Crimea, armed conflict in Ukraine and buildup of troops inside Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova, abused the EU’s willingness to open its borders to Russia. -
“Russia is ready to host the World Cup. The stadiums are open. The cops are polyglots. That is a quick recap of many years of work.We're not going to lose face in front of the planet. It’s not for nothing we terrified [the planet] with a missile. In general, all is well. But there is only one “but”: Our team, frankly, is sh-t.”
The International Federation of Football Association, the world soccer authority better known as FIFA, ranked Russia’s national team #70 and labeled it a “worst mover.” -
“It indicates that they, the Americans in the first place, are preparing to start a war in Europe, and you can wage a war in Europe against Russia only.”
NATO’s recent deployments in Eastern Europe are minuscule compared to Russia’s capabilities on its western flank and would be insufficient for a successful attack on -- or a war with -- Russia. Rather, the U.S. and NATO are enhancing the deterrence posture and collective defense of NATO members.