Khairul Alam: Russian Ambassador to Bangladesh, Alexander Mantitsky, stated in a press conference held at the Russian Embassy in Dhaka on Tuesday that Russia is not competing with Western countries regarding Bangladesh.
He mentioned that they are observing and assessing the actions and potential initiatives taken by Western countries in Bangladesh but clarified that Russia is not engaged in competition.
Ambassador Mantitsky reflected on the historical context, highlighting the Soviet Navy’s assistance during the liberation war of Bangladesh in 1971.
He mentioned that former members of the Soviet Navy, including Vittali Gubenko and Alexander Jaltuski, attended the event to commemorate their contributions to the mine clearance operation at the Chittagong seaport.
Addressing recent remarks by Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, who expressed concerns about potential external interference in Bangladesh’s upcoming national elections, Ambassador Mantitsky refrained from making any direct comments.
However, he reiterated Russia’s historical support for Bangladesh during its struggle for independence and acknowledged the joy of being a part of Bangladesh’s journey towards progress.
Former Soviet Navy members Gubenko and Jaltuski, present at the press conference, shared memories of their challenging efforts during the mine clearance operation in Chittagong in 1972. Gubenko recalled the difficulty of the task and the two years of continuous efforts to successfully clear the mines, expressing fond memories of the friendly interactions with the local population.
The Russian Ambassador emphasized that Russia appreciates its role in supporting Bangladesh’s independence and expressed satisfaction in being a part of Bangladesh’s ongoing journey.
Despite the acknowledgment of historical collaboration, Ambassador Mantitsky underscored that Russia is not engaged in competition with Western countries in the context of Bangladesh, opting to observe and evaluate their actions instead.