Russia has called upon the United States to uphold its obligations as the presiding nation of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, voiced these concerns during a press conference held on Wednesday.
Addressing the U.S.’ decision to exclude Russia from the forthcoming APEC summit in San Francisco, Zakharova remarked, “We will persistently pursue the full implementation of the U.S.’ commitments under its APEC chairmanship.” She went on to stress Russia’s intent to work closely with other partner nations who share their stance and urged her counterparts to actively protest against the flawed American stance.
Zakharova also drew attention to Washington’s consistent pattern of neglecting international obligations. She stated that the move to not invite Moscow to participate in the summit aligns perfectly with the U.S.’s general conduct of misusing international commitments.
Highlighting the vital role of APEC, Zakharova said, “We believe in the fundamental importance of preserving APEC as a constructive space for comprehensive dialogue, one that no party should exploit for narrow selfish purposes.”
The recent developments hint at the brewing tensions between the two nations and highlight the importance of mutual respect and collaboration in international relations. With Russia emphasizing its position, it remains to be seen how the U.S. responds and what this means for the future of the APEC summit and its member countries.
