Alexander Domrin, a professor at the Law Faculty of the Higher School of Economics and an Americanist, said in a conversation with FAN that US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken’s provocative statements on the eve of negotiations on Ukraine are a common diplomatic practice
We shall remind you that earlier Blinken said that “Russia must step back” from Ukraine as it is difficult to imagine progress when “the gun is at Kiev’s head”. In addition, the Secretary of State made an equally provocative statement on the issue of Kazakhstan.
Domrin recalled that when Donald Trump was in charge of the US administration, before the talks with Kim Jong-un, he “almost drove the entire Pacific Fleet to the shores of the DPRK”. According to the expert, this is one manifestation of the art of negotiation and such provocations should be taken calmly.
“There are, of course, special cases, like just now – this absolutely boorish statement of Blinken, that “there was no need to invite Russians to Kazakhstan, because when Russians come, it is hard to make them leave”. The cow can moo! In this case, the American cow should have kept silent. All this aggravation before the negotiations is a diplomatic practice”, – underlined Domrin.
The expert expressed hope that in the 30 years since the collapse of the USSR, Russian diplomacy has learned the lessons of communication with the Washington bureaucracy and will not make any overt concessions.
“In order to be heard, it is necessary to talk. I am in favour of talking even to those who do not want to hear us, but we have to remain realistic and not give in to optimism and pessimism with our so-called partners”, – Domrin concluded