Russia expects that there will be no impact on Dhaka-Moscow relations following Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina's meeting with Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference.
"We hope that it'll not have an impact," Russian Ambassador Alexander Mantytskiy said on Monday while replying to a question at a DCAB Talk. "We hope that Bangladesh-Russia relations will improve.”
The Diplomatic Correspondents Association, Bangladesh (DCAB) organized the event with its president, Nurul Islam Hasib, in the chair. General Secretary Ashiqur Rahman Apu also spoke on the occasion.
The question came as Bangladesh has accepted the Ukrainian president’s request to meet the prime minister.
Russia and Ukraine have been at war for more than two years. Bangladesh maintains strong relations with Russia. However, the government has not tilted towards any side despite Western pressure in accordance with Bangladesh’s foreign policy dictum of friendship to all and malice towards none.
The Russian ambassador welcomed Bangladesh's foreign policy and said: "We are not at war with the US. They have their own economic interests; we also have economic relations with Bangladesh."
He said Western countries were negotiating with other countries to gain support for Ukraine's ceasefire proposal.
"But Russia does not support that proposal," he said.
The envoy clarified Russia's stance on the Zelensky peace formula. Russia had consistently criticized the Zelensky formula for its shortcomings, hypocrisy, and lack of connection to reality, he said.
"First, the Zelensky formula consists of a series of ultimatums targeting Russia. They are trying to force us to withdraw from the liberated territories and abandon Russians who voted to reunite with their homeland. Ultimatums of this kind cannot serve as a foundation for launching talks.
"Second, Ukraine has enacted a legal ban on holding talks with the Russian leadership. As long as this ban remains in place, discussing any proposals will not yield tangible results. Third, discussing a settlement in Ukraine without involving Russia does not make sense. Fourth, Kyiv has been pushing the ultimatums contained in the Zelensky formula as the only possible solution with no room for alternatives.
"Fifth, Zelensky has been bombing civilian sites with cluster munitions in Belgorod, Donetsk, and other Russian cities, intentionally killing civilians. The West has been supplying ammunition to Kyiv, including cluster and depleted uranium bombs, and delivering more weapons, which does nothing but escalate hostilities and prolong the conflict," the ambassador said.
Asked whether Russia followed India's policy on Bangladesh, he said: "We follow our policy, and it is written in our doctrine. Russia and India have differences on many issues, and we follow our own policies here. We do not see Bangladesh through the eyes of India.”
On the Rohingya issue, the ambassador said Russia wants the Rohingyas to return to their homeland.
"We think that no foreign country or NGO should interfere in this process. However, the situation has changed, and problems have arisen in Myanmar. It is now uncertain when the repatriation process will begin," he said.
Asked why Russia sold arms to Myanmar, he said: "We are supplying arms. But at the same time, India and China are also supplying arms. We are ready to supply weapons to Bangladesh as well. These are high-quality weapons, and this can be understood if we see the war in Ukraine. We have supplied arms to Bangladesh before…aeroplanes and many more."
Bangladesh-Russia relations
"Russia makes a significant contribution to Bangladesh's food security. Despite artificial and counterproductive obstacles created by Western countries, Moscow continues to export to Bangladesh key agro-industrial products, mainly wheat and fertilizers," he said.
“In 2023, Bangladesh imported 2.7 million tons of grain from Russia. The Russian side is ready to expand the list of export items with edible oils, peas, chickpeas, and lentils.”
Mantytskiy continued: “Energy has been the backbone of our cooperation. In 2023, Gazprom continued projects aimed at enhancing Bangladesh's energy security. The construction of three additional wells on Bhola Island was completed, bringing the total number of drilled wells to 20. The company’s proposals for gas evacuation and exploration of new fields are under consideration.”
He said there were more offers and projects in the pipeline, such as the supply of Russian LNG and crude oil for further local refining, Russian solar energy technologies, the upgrade of local power stations, and more.
“The Rooppur NPP flagship project is moving according to schedule.”
Talking about recent milestones, he mentioned the installation of a passive heat removal system at unit 2. “The first unit is expected to start pilot operations by the end of this year.”
The Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant would make a considerable contribution to Bangladesh’s economic development and energy security, the ambassador hoped.
“Rooppur is more than just a power plant. Dozens of Bangladeshi companies provide their services and materials for construction work.
"All in all, judging by the outcomes of the year 2023, Russia-Bangladesh relations have proved to be resilient and strong both politically and economically," he said, adding that 2024 seemed to be equally promising.
"Together with Bangladeshi partners, we are eager to expand and diversify areas of mutual interest for the sake of our peoples. It leaves no one in any doubt that we have all the prerequisites for that and share the same commitment."
He said: "Our position is that the US and Western countries should not tell what Bangladesh will do. This will depend on Bangladesh. They should not interfere in Bangladesh."
