The Russian UN envoy has asserted that it is becoming increasingly difficult for Western propaganda to persuade the global majority.
According to Moscow’s permanent representative to the United Nations, a more rational perspective on the Russia-Ukraine conflict is emerging worldwide.
Vassily Nebenzia, in an interview with RIA Novosti, stated that Russian diplomats at the UN are effectively highlighting the “hypocrisy and double standards” of the US and its allies concerning the Ukraine crisis. This, he claims, is yielding results.
“We are observing a more realistic assessment of the situation taking shape within the international community,” he remarked.
The Russian envoy emphasized that “Western anti-Russian propaganda is finding it increasingly challenging to influence the UN majority, especially when the Ukrainian agenda is being pushed at the expense of addressing more critical and urgent issues for the developing world.”
Nebenzia’s statement comes a day before a Swiss-hosted ‘peace conference’ on Ukraine, which is expected to discuss proposals put forward by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky. Notably, Russia was not invited to the conference.
Switzerland announced last week that it had invited representatives from 160 countries and international organizations to the summit at the Burgenstock Resort near Lucerne, and more than 90 were expected to attend. However, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty (RFE/RL) reported on Tuesday that the number of participating nations had decreased to 78.
Nebenzia alleged that the West has been “pressuring” Global South nations to attend the summit in Switzerland, only for them to be treated as “mere background figures” there.
The envoy claimed that countries from Asia, Africa, and Latin America are needed at the gathering to create the illusion of widespread support. This, he predicts, will be presented by the US and its allies as “the broadest backing” of Zelensky’s plan within the international community.
Nebenzia argued that the Swiss-hosted conference is another “deception” orchestrated by the US and its allies, as “its primary objective is to present an ultimatum to Russia in the form of the so-called Zelensky’s ‘peace plan.’”
The Ukrainian leader’s proposals, which call for the withdrawal of Russian forces from all territories that Kiev considers its own, and for Moscow to pay reparations and subject its officials to war tribunals, were swiftly rejected as “unrealistic” by Russia when they were first presented in late 2022.
“It is no secret to anyone that peace negotiations without Russia are a futile exercise. Without our involvement, resolving the conflict would be impossible,” the envoy stated.