Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova has described Western efforts to isolate Russia as a complete failure, arguing that Moscow continues to attract international engagement despite pressure from Western governments.
Speaking in an interview, Zakharova said Western countries had failed to achieve their objective of isolating Russia and were now embroiled in disagreements over diplomatic contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“Westerners are making fools of themselves. Their plans to isolate Russia have failed. They’re already arguing among themselves about who called whom,” Zakharova said.
She was referring to a recent dispute in Europe over a telephone conversation involving Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Store.
Zakharova characterised the broader Western campaign against Moscow as ineffective, describing the attempted isolation as a “complete fiasco” and a “caricature” of Western policy.
The Russian diplomat also criticised efforts by Western officials to discourage African representatives from travelling to Moscow for the Third Russia–Africa Summit, taking place on October 28 and 29.
According to Zakharova, Western officials have been attempting to persuade African representatives not to attend the gathering, which brings together Russian and African leaders and officials to discuss political, economic and diplomatic cooperation.
“The whole world is looking on with disdain at these efforts. They’re still running around, grabbing people by the sleeves and begging: ‘Just don’t go,’” she said.
Her remarks come as Russia seeks to strengthen its partnerships with African countries amid continued tensions with Western governments over the war in Ukraine and sanctions imposed on Moscow.
The Russia–Africa Summit provides a platform for discussions on trade, investment, energy, food security, technology, defence and humanitarian cooperation.
African participation in the gathering is also an opportunity for Moscow to demonstrate that its diplomatic relationships extend beyond Europe and North America, despite Western efforts to limit its international engagement.
However, Western governments have maintained pressure on Russia through sanctions and diplomatic measures in response to its invasion of Ukraine, while Moscow continues to pursue closer relations with countries across Africa and other regions.
Zakharova’s comments underscore the diplomatic contest surrounding Russia’s international standing, with the summit offering Moscow an opportunity to showcase its ties with African partners and challenge claims that it has become isolated on the global stage.