Peskov says Russia should develop for its own interests, not to spite the West

Russia should pursue development in its own interests rather than to spite the West, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on October 15, according to RIA Novosti. He rejected presenting development as Russia's answer to the West and said acting in opposition to someone else would not lead to a good outcome. RBC also reported his call for Russia and Eurasia to develop in their own interests. [ 1 , 2 ]

Vedomosti said Peskov made the remarks at the Eurasia awards ceremony. He was asked whether the award's expanding geographical reach could be seen as a response to what the question described as Russophobia in Western countries. According to the report, Peskov said development should not be built around confrontation with anyone and that Russia and other Eurasian countries should develop cooperation for their own interests. [ 3 ]

Peskov said an increase in the award's participants reflected stronger ties between people who shared goals and ideas about the future, Vedomosti reported. He said this unity was not confined to the geographical borders of individual states. His comments linked the growing participation to connections between people and their shared aims. [ 3 ]

In separate remarks about language at the ceremony, Peskov described Russian as a means of communication, economic interaction and shared culture, according to Vedomosti. He said it should not become an instrument of political struggle and could strengthen common interests and principles across Eurasia. He also recalled an initiative by Kazakhstan's President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to create an organization supporting the Russian language. [ 3 ]