KATHMANDU, FEBRUARY 10
Ambassador of Russia to Nepal Aleksei Novikov has said that 'illegitimate sanctions imposed on Russia, mistakes by some leading western economies in the financial and investment spheres,' and attempts to sideline Russian goods from global energy and food markets,' were the main causes behind the global price hike and not the Ukraine conflict.
Talking to THT on the occasion of Diplomatic Worker's Day in Russia, Ambassador Novikov emphasized that Russian President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly noted, the global rise in prices of agricultural products and energy sources was not caused by 'the Special military operation.'
The Russian Ambassador said that energy and food prices had risen consistently since 2020-2021, which was the result of the thoughtless policy of the central banks of several major western economies, which printed unsecured funds, naturally leading to inflation.
The further surge in fuel prices, the Russian Ambassador highlighted, was provoked by the attempts to unleash a trade and sanctions against Russia. First, an artificial deficit in the market was created, when the supplies of Russian oil and gas were rejected, as well as seriously their transportation to third countries were complicated. Replacing Russian fuel, the "Old World" began to buy it from the markets of Asia and Africa, thereby giving impetus to prices. Russia, in contrast tried to contribute to the normalization of the market situation by supplying oil to friendly countries with discount starting from 20-30 per cent , he added.
Ambassador Novikov pointed out there was still is pressure on transporters and buyers of Russian commodities which was a blatant attempt to monopolise the market by those who impose illegitimate sanctions against Russia. And it is clear that less completion on the market results in increased prices.
He also reminded that Russia is one of the world leaders in the supply of agricultural products and fertilizers. Unilateral restrictions imposed on Russian entities by the west have created difficulties with the payment and logistics of deliveries of such goods. At the same time, third countries are blackmailed with the prospect of secondary sanctions for bypassing these restrictions. All this - against the backdrop of the negative consequences of the pandemic, as well as global warming and natural disasters - leads to an increase in food prices in Asian and African countries, the Russian Ambassador said.
Furthermore, he explained that the policy of some major economies in the "Old World" to replace Russian fertilizer suppliers by the means of purchasing from other exporters was ultimately also fraught with negative consequences for the poorest countries, that may be deprived of fertilizers supplies, while Russia was ready to explore the opportunities in the new markets in case long-term and substantial intention of potential counterparts.
Russian Ambassador Novikov said Russia realises the critical importance of food and energy security for Nepal and supports the republic's desire to ensure stable imports of energy resources, fertilisers and agricultural products, to achieve self-sufficiency in production of these goods as well as assistance to third countries in this.
The Russian side has also repeatedly put forward mutually beneficial initiatives in this respect. Relevant, detailed and well-thought-out proposals on these matters that take into account logistic difficulties of supplies to Nepal will always find their consideration in Moscow, he added.
On the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, Ambassador Novikov quoted Vladimir Putin "We have always said that we are ready for both negotiations and compromises. The problem is that the opposing side, both literally and figuratively, rejected negotiations". Nonetheless, he added, Russian leadership is ready to consider any specific peace initiative that takes into account the existing reality and justified security interests of Russia.
The Russian Ambassador said that Russian diplomats would do everything in their power to ensure security of their country, to expand constructive cooperation with the majority of states in Eurasia, including Nepal, Africa and Latin America.
