I would like to emphasise that the cartoon perverts the current situation in Russian-Turkish relations
ISLAMABAD: Regarding the publication of the caricature by Mr Sabir Nazar in The Express Tribune on December 1, of the Russian President Vladimir Putin, I would like to emphasise that this cartoon perverts the current situation in Russian-Turkish relations. It puts ordinary Pakistanis onto the idea that Russia is a potential aggressor, and is preparing its armed forces against Turkey (by cleaning the Kalashnikov).
It must be noted that there is no military build-up from the Russian side against any country in that region, but only against terrorist formations, primarily the Islamic State. The Syrian government has officially requested the presence of Russian military forces in Syria and it is in full compliance with international law. Almost all recent Russian sanctions against Turkey are economic in nature and were imposed in response to the unmotivated shooting down of the Russian aircraft that bombed terrorist targets in Syria and didn’t violate Turkish airspace (even according to the Turkish version of events, the alleged violation lasted for 17 seconds only).
Taking into account the recent positive developments in Russia-Pakistan relations, this cartoon was regrettable.
Alexey Dedov
Ambassador of Russia to Pakistan
Published in The Express Tribune, December 4th, 2015.
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