On the streets of the Elephant drove
"This is what gives me the spirit,
That I, absolutely without a fight,
I can get into big bully.
Let the dogs say:
“Ay, Pug! know she is strong
What bark at the Elephant! ”
Ivan Andreevich Krylov
That I, absolutely without a fight,
I can get into big bully.
Let the dogs say:
“Ay, Pug! know she is strong
What bark at the Elephant! ”
Ivan Andreevich Krylov
Not even a couple of months passed at the moment when the new Lithuanian ambassador took office, as he had already decided, as they say, to take the bull by the horns. Renatas Norkus said that Vilnius is extremely concerned that Russia is increasing its military power in the immediate vicinity of the Lithuanian borders. The Lithuanian Ambassador noted that his country is “closely watching” how the situation is developing in Russia, including with increased funding from the defense ministry of the Russian Federation. Renatas Norkus and the officials of the state whose interests he represents in Russia are worried by the fact that Moscow, he says, violates the measures taken by the European Union to strengthen security in Europe, and, in general, does not trust the OSCE.
Yes, of course, Mr. Norkus, apparently, took too much breath of the Russian air of freedom that has been blowing from the squares and avenues lately, so I decided to play the role of an exposer of the “terrible Russian thoughts”. Apparently, the European Union, led by Catherine Ashton, who is well-versed in European security affairs, delegated precisely to Lithuania to come up with a barrage of criticism of Russia. They say that Moscow is going to expand its Iskanders near your borders and conduct large-scale exercises - you, gentlemen of Lithuania, and cards in your hands. You tell me, and we will sit in Brussels and see how Lithuania managed to integrate into a single European thinking space.
In this case, Ambassador Norkus can be understood very well - not so much a man tries for himself, but rather for those from whose table something falls for a small but very proud Lithuanian Republic.
And now let us touch on the question of why the Lithuanian ambassador to Russia, Mr. Norkus, decided to declare himself publicly now. And the explanation of excessive activity of the ambassador may look as follows. Lithuania, or rather those who suggested that Lithuania declare Russia’s “misbehavior”, is sure that it is necessary “to strike while the iron is hot.” Turning on their television receivers tuned in to the waves of CNN and other world’s most objective channels, Europeans saw waves of protest rallies sweep across the streets and squares of cities in the Russian Federation. And this picture worked in the direction that the officials on the other side of the European missile defense picket fence suddenly decided that now it was necessary to have time to put pressure on the political leadership of Russia. They say, on these very protest waves, you see, and we will get some bonuses in the form of new obligations of Russia regarding disarmament, non-proliferation and other things that in Europe are called “correct actions” from Moscow. Japan, won, put an eye on the islands again, and Europe, you see, will again force Russia to take its main forces away — beyond the Urals.
It is obvious that Mr. Norkus and his employers expect positive answers to their questions from the Russian Foreign Ministry, giving it a kind of chance to demonstrate its “commitment to European ideals”. However, answering personally to Ambassador Norkus for the Russian foreign ministry will look like an unworthy moment. After all, in this great game of the West with Russia, the Lithuanian ambassador is something that is worth paying attention to - for yourself. But, of course, it will be necessary to maintain diplomatic status, and, perhaps, we will hear in the near future what the Russian Foreign Ministry thinks about this.
It should be recalled that the Balts began to move even after the US military announced that the number of stars and stars in Europe would be significantly reduced. As soon as these statements reached the ears of the leaders of the Baltic countries, these leaders literally couldn’t find a place for themselves: “who are you, our dear ones ...” Even the head of the Pentagon had to speak and reassure the presidents of the independent Baltic states: you shouldn’t be afraid of the Russians, we’ll do everything to so that you continue to revel in your freedom and independence.
However, for some reason, neither Ambassador Norkus, nor others interested in the withdrawal of Russian military units from the Kaliningrad region, did not present the same complaints to their Washington colleagues when they desired to expand and strengthen their ABM positions. For some reason, Vilnius did not have any questions about the security of Lithuania when an agreement on missile defense radars was reached with the Polish authorities. If Europe does not see the enemy in Russia, continuing to furnish our country with its antimissiles, then we can quite well on our territory take appropriate steps - in a friendly way. It is necessary to emphasize once again: on its own, Mr. Norkus, the territory! Debt, as they say, is beautiful in the red, and Russia is used to giving back its debts.
No, well, these interesting Lithuanians! They themselves joined NATO, they strive to threaten Russia with any small fist for any convenient reason, they also want Moscow to take no retaliation measures. Holy Catholic simplicity ... Let Lithuania say thank you that Russia did not cut a corridor to connect its Kaliningrad region with the “mainland” without any obstacles. And it’s a joke to say: in order to get from Russia to Russia, the Lithuanian authorities also require visas from us! Maybe we, Ambassador Norkus, can also take off our shoes when entering your partially independent state? ..
And by and large, trying to react negatively to the opinion of everyone beyond the limits of an active ambassador is clearly a thankless task. Today one ambassador will be pleased, tomorrow the second will appear. It’s time to adopt an exceptionally productive communication style: we took your concern into account, but we continue to do what we see as necessary - sorry, opinions may not coincide ...
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