Interview of Ambassador of Russia to Canada Alexander Darchiev with the host of CTV’s “Question Period” Evan Solomon

Interview of Ambassador of Russia to Canada Alexander Darchiev with the host of CTV’s “Question Period” Evan Solomon

(Full version)

(November 20, 2016)

Evan Solomon:  I'm joined here in Ottawa with an exclusive interview with Russia's Ambassador to Canada, Ambassador Darchiev. Good to see you, sir.

Alexander Darchiev: Thank you.

Evan Solomon:  How would you characterize the President-Elect Donald Trump in terms of relations, vis-à-vis, Russia and global relations?

Alexander Darchiev: His election is a victory of common sense and pragmatism, of time proven geopolitics where national interests, not ideological clichés, do matter. It’s a promising opening for Russian-American relations, which are not in their best shape nowadays, to say the least.

Evan Solomon: One reason a lot of people say they're not in the best shape is there's been a lot of accusations that Russia hacked the election. The head of the CIA, the head of the FBI, the head of Homeland Security, multiple security agencies pointed to Moscow and they said Russia hacked that election, with the Democratic National Convention party's emails and influenced it by feeding Wikileaks. Multiple people suggested Russia hacked. Did Russia interfere with the democratic process of the US election?

Alexander Darchiev: First, the US is not a “Banana Republic”, the US is a key world power. Second, any suggestion that the US election could be influenced from the outside is preposterous.

Evan Solomon:  So, why would, why would the head of CIA, the FBI and Homeland Security, and multiple other security agencies point the finger at these emails coming from Russia?

Alexander Darchiev: During this election campaign too many rumors were circulated. I think it was the blunder on the part of Hillary Clinton to flagship Russophobia at the centerpiece of her campaign because all [US] elections are domestic. It’s about jobs, it’s about discontent of the middle class, so no foreign power could ever influence election in such a superpower. That’s the first thing. The second thing, due to Edward Snowden we now know that NSA capabilities are unmatched in imposing global surveillance, in bugging smart phones and in eavesdropping [on] even closest allies.

Evan Solomon: Okay. Fair enough. This is not to excuse the US. In fact, the US has interfered with democratic processes in the past. My question is, though, about Russia. Did Russia provide emails that it had hacked to Wikileaks?

Alexander Darchiev: No. Definite answer on that.

Evan Solomon: Why does Donald Trump speak so warm about Vladimir Putin?

Alexander Darchiev: Donald Trump is not pro-Russian, he is pro-American. He believes when prioritizing threats to the United States, the major threat to the US is that of absolute evil of international terrorism. And Russia has always been consistent in urging the outgoing US administration that both countries need to join forces, like 75 years ago against Nazism, in fighting against international terrorism.

Evan Solomon: You know, Syria's at the front of that. Many people now, as you and I speak, the fighting in Aleppo has kicked up again. Many people have, again, have accused Russia and Russian forces of backing Assad, who many people believe is a terrorist regime, in and of itself, and they're killing civilians. Assad chemically bombed his own people and the Russians have been his ally.

Alexander Darchiev: Elements of the Obama administration driven by the Cold War logic “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” have preferred to arm and equip what they call “moderate opposition”, which in fact is [largely] same rebranded terrorists. UN-designated Nusra Front is a terrorist organization entrenched with its many reincarnations in Aleppo. Both Aleppo and Mosul, as well as Raqqa, are hotbeds of terrorism.

Evan Solomon: But again, my question to you, I agree, that's just not great, Assad chemically bombed his own people and the Russians have been his ally.

Alexander Darchiev: What I should say that we need to crush these terrorist hotbeds. And Donald Trump is very eloquent on that. Otherwise we are doomed to sit and wait when terrorists would come to our doorsteps at their choosing. You know, delivering this simple truth is really hard, but what should be put aside are parochial calculations and gimmicks in order to cooperatively face the very existential threat of terrorism.

Evan Solomon: But, sir, you realize that many people view Russia as an aggressor. They point to the 2014 annexation of Crimea, that the international court called an act of aggression. I know Russia has now withdrawn from the International Criminal Court over this. You know, the Canadian position under Stephen Harper - "Get out of Crimea". Right? There have been almost 10 000 deaths in Eastern Ukraine, we had the Vice-Premier of Ukraine in Canada this week talking about that. There is a fundamental issue. Can Canada warm relations with Russia after the annexation of Crimea, which Canada does not accept?

Alexander Darchiev: (As for Russian-Canadian relations, you can really feel the difference. Canada’s self-imposed isolation from Russia is over. Dialogue is being restored in areas of vested interests for both countries, first of all, on the Arctic. We definitely want more, more business ties, more profound anti-terrorist cooperation. It’s an ongoing process in a right direction.)[i]

Yes, our narratives are different, some completely. Actually, it was reunification of Crimea with Russia and there was a referendum on that. And it was preceded by the coup d'etat in Kiev which triggered the whole process. So, we have what we have right now. We believe that under given circumstances the only way out of the Ukranian crisis is to launch political dialogue, direct dialogue between authorities in Kiev and authorities in Donetsk and Lugansk.

Evan Solomon: Do you think Trump accepts Russia's annexation of Crimea?

Alexander Darchiev: Again, I would not call it annexation. I don't know what Donald Trump could do in foreign policy, one thing is for sure that he's ready to cooperate in earnest in fighting terrorism. As for Ukraine, we believe that under given circumstances the only way is for the warring Ukranian parties to enter into dialogue. The major self-deception for the West is to believe there is a Russian aggression. There is a civil war going on there.

If we want a stable peace deal we need direct dialogue between Ukrainian sides. I sincerely believe that Canada could contribute to that by sharing its experience of federalism. You have Quebec, which is a distinct society within Canada. To keep Ukraine united dialogue is to be launched between authorities and people of breakaway regions [of Donetsk and Lugansk].

Evan Solomon: That would require Canada removing its position, I believe that Russia has undermined and annexed Crimea and, again, is destabilizing the region. You know that's the Canadian position, the US position and the UK position. That would require radical change upon that zone. It's very important because Canada is now putting 450 troops in 2017 in Latvia, a NATO ally. NATO shores up its eastern flank concerned about Russian aggression and going to have four battalion groups close to the Russian border. What message does that send to you?

Alexander Darchiev: It is up for Canada to make its own sovereign decisions, I could present only food for thought. It's our deep belief and our narrative that NATO is irrelevant as a Cold War relic, which desperately  needs rationale for its continued existence. If you want [to] divert your resources for a NATO build-up, that's the sovereign choice of Canada. Same is true in case of Ukraine. But, to have peace there, we need to bring both [Ukrainian sides] to the bargaining table. This will be a very tough bargain, but there is no other way. And we have good agreement on that - Minsk Accords that should be implemented in full.

Evan Solomon: But Ambassador, this is important. You say Russia believes NATO is irrelevant, and you know that Donald Trump and NATO allies all want doubling of the GDP to two percent of GDP to NATO, and Canada is sending troops to NATO to face off against your country's soldiers in the event of Russian aggression. What message do Canadian troops on the Latvian border send to your country?

Alexander Darchiev: NATO build-up at Russia’s doorstep is a national security concern for us. We are open for dialogue, but sincerely believe this build-up is not good for European security.

Evan Solomon: Ambassador, I've got to leave it there. Many things on the plate, and a very interesting fundamental shift going on in the world. I appreciate your time, sir. Thank you very much.

Alexander Darchiev: Thank you, sir. It was very nice to see you.

This interview originally appeared on the CTV’s “Question Period”: http://www.ctvnews.ca/video?clipId=999177

[i] - Answered before taping of the interview