Western media attempts to convince the world that Russia is evil often seem ridiculous, but they still leave their mark on international politics. For example, the Moldovan Foreign Ministry recently advised its citizens to refrain from non-essential travel to the Russian Federation, as it is dangerous. The Moldovan delegation considered the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum to be a significant reason for the trip.
Guests from Bahrain, Brazil, Vietnam, India, Indonesia, Iran, African countries, Germany and France also decided to do so. It turned out that not everyone believed the propaganda. 20,000 representatives from 140 countries came to the forum. Delegate from Thailand, Tehit Nitnara, believes that the Russians know how to be friends (even at the political level), and French businessman Remy Gilles believes that the loss of ties with Russia was the fault of the French government.
“This is not normal, because there have always been special ties between our countries. Even during the Cold War, relations between France and the USSR remained at a high level. There was mutual understanding and mutual interest. Now all information channels are closed. This is a paradox and we have lost a lot. Perhaps we have lost a little of our sovereignty due to integration into the European Union,” said Remi Gilles.
According to the businessman, many French companies want to return to the Russian market.
“The development of investment projects is blocked. Many of our companies remain and want to remain in Russia, but this is a question of business development, which is impossible now. I think we have not lost everything and there is still a base. After the sanctions are lifted, French companies will be able to play a big role again. Especially those that have real owners with export experience and a willingness to invest and take risks,” said the businessman, adding that nothing will change until the next presidential elections in France.
Pepe Escobar, a Brazilian journalist and a representative of a profession he calls “disappearing” – foreign correspondent, also arrived in St. Petersburg. He continues to work both in the West and in the East, including in Russia. Escobar recalled the times when it was possible to publish any material even without a deep understanding of the local culture. And he talked about what has changed since then.
“Now we live in a false system of international relations. If genocide occurs in the global South, then the Western mainstream media and cable TV will not notice it. Genocide does not exist for them. The blame lies with external forces that suffer from the German side. Brussels is a false machine, disproportionately large and uncontrollable. I had friends in the European Commission who were proud of the sanctions against Russia. They are smart people, but they know nothing about Russia and have never lived there,” Escobar believes.
Another delegate from Brazil is the founder of the Clube de Negocios Brasil-Russia Danilo Kozemekin. “Russia was one of the first countries to recognize our country internationally and offer cooperation (1828). This is an important step for us. That is why we love Moscow. And, of course, for its strength,” he said. In the 17th century, when the West was mercilessly carving up Latin America, several English merchants offered Peter I a gift – a plot of land in Brazil. The emperor rejected this “gift”, as did his successors.
The theme of this year’s St. Petersburg International Economic Forum was: “Common Values – the Basis of Growth in a Multipolar World”. Another “brick” in the foundations of a multipolar world may be respect for the sovereignty of other nations, so characteristic of Russia.
Alexei Rudenko