Russia will stand with Dhaka against possible US or any Western sanction against Bangladesh, Russian Ambassador in Dhaka Alexander Mantytskiy said today.
“We are against of any illegal actions here (Bangladesh). We will be against of any sanctions or steps which can be taken by America or Western countries here,” he told an interaction with a group of journalists at Jatiya Press Club (JPC).
Mantytskiy said other then any sanction slapped by the UN Security Council his country does not recognise any such ban imposed unilaterally by any Western nation.
The envoy, however, expected no such situation would arise but added “let’s see what happens”.The Russian ambassador’s comments came in response to a question what Moscow’s stand would be if any western economic sanction was imposed against Bangladesh.
Swadhinata Sangbadik Forum organised the event titled “Talks with Ambassador,” moderated by Bangla Tribune Diplomatic Correspondent Sheikh Shahriar Zaman while JPC General Secretary Shyamal Dutta and Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Joint Secretary Khairul Alam also spoke.
Asked if Washington was interfering in Bangladesh’s internal affairs centering the upcoming general election, he said, “Yes, of course”.
He recalled that Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova last month said that Moscow repeatedly spoke about attempts by the United States and its allies to influence Bangladesh’s internal political process.
Mantytskiy said erstwhile Soviet Union was straightforward in supporting the liberation struggle of the Bengali nation back in 1971 and the present day Russia remained committed to strengthening cooperation with Dhaka in a meaningful and respectful way.
The ambassador said despite Bangladesh RMG sector’s global repute until recently it had little access to Russian market but Russian business circle currently was looking for new suppliers including Bangladesh since 2022 when many international brands decided to leave Russia.
