The solidarity of Russia with Italy has no hidden goals.

The word of Moscow.

 

An exclusive interview with the Russian Ambassador to Italy Sergey Razov about Russian assistance arriving in Italy to deal with the emergency caused by COVID-19.

 

To revive the “spirit of Pratique di Mare” by delivering aid to the “friendly Italian people regardless of the international context” in the footsteps of the tradition of humanitarian support dating back to the last century, and also to emphasize the necessity declared by Russian President Vladimir Putin to unite efforts of different countries to deal with new global challenges and threats, such as the currently observed dangerous epidemic.

This is how the Russian Ambassador to Italy, Sergei Razov, in an exclusive interview with the AGI agency, summarizes the meaning of the large-scale relief operation that arrived in Italy from Moscow to support the fight against the new coronavirus. Equipment and military virologists are sent to Bergamo, the most affected area. This mission was seen by many as the Kremlin’s propaganda political move aimed at emphasizing Brussels’s lack of solidarity. However, according to the Ambassador, this is nothing else but “selfless assistance from Russia at the request of the Italian leadership”. Although he admits that “some in Europe understand solidarity as a general commitment to sanctions and bloc discipline. In our opinion, solidarity is something else. In Russia, there is a saying: "One’s grief is everyone’s grief." Russia could not remain indifferent in the face of such a dramatic situation in Italy.”

1. Please tell us how the decision was made to provide assistance to Italy?

In the evening on March 21, at the initiative of the Russian side, a telephone conversation took place between the President of Russia Vladimir Putin and the Chairman of the Italian Council of Ministers G.Conte. The leaders thoroughly discussed the situation around the coronavirus pandemic and agreed on close cooperation in the fight against this disease.

In response to an appeal from the Italian side and taking into account the difficult epidemiological situation in Italy, Russian President Vladimir Putin confirmed readiness to promptly provide the necessary assistance to the Italian government and people, despite the demand for this equipment and protective gear in our country. The Russian Ministry of Defense immediately responded to the results of this telephone conversation and by the morning of March 22 formed an aviation group of 14 military transport aircrafts IL-76 for the delivery of aid to the Italian Republic. Two days after that telephone conversation, 9 heavy aircrafts with a carrying capacity of up to 60 tons each of the Russian military transport wing arrived in Italy. Another 5 special flights arrived on the Apennines yesterday. Decisions on additional flights will be made as the situation develops and depending on the need.

Thus, we are talking about a humanitarian operation of a very large scale for the delivery of specialists, medical equipment and protective tools in the shortest possible time.

2. What exactly is the help? Where will the medical teams and equipment be sent? How long will they stay in Italy?

In particular, 122 military virologist and epidemiologist, 8 medical teams, each of which includes a therapist, epidemiologist, anesthesiologist, nurse and translator, as well as up to 30 units of special equipment — mobile complexes (each composed of two cars), data processing modules based on the KAMAZ trucks, etc.

In addition, Russian aircrafts delivered to Italy protection equipment, disinfection complexes for vehicles and terrains, i.e. to disinfect of water pipes, medical equipment, including ventilators, biological and pathogen analysis machines, 100 thousand test systems, high-class medical masks, protection, gloves, 1 thousand protective sets, 700 infectious disease suits for medics and other equipment.

In particular, Italy received the newest laboratory out of a total of 15 radiation, chemical and biological protection labs available in the Russian troops. All these actions are being taken under the auspices of the Russian Ministry of Defense and free of charge.

Based on the results of coordination meetings with the participation of Russian and Italian representatives, it was determined that Russian specialists at this stage will be sent to one of the most affected epidemic cities in northern Italy - Bergamo.

The purpose of the mission of Russian medics is not to conduct consultations, but to work practically, directly in hospitals side-by-side with Italian colleagues. To ensure effective communication, the group will be accompanied by translators who arrived from Russia. Our experts will stay in Italy until a special joint decision by the Russian and Italian sides.

3. The Russian media report that the arrival of medics from Russia is also an opportunity to gain practical experience in case the coronavirus epidemic breaks out in Russia. Is this really so?

Russian specialists have considerable practical experience in combating the spread of viral infections and in handling complex epidemiological situations. They are equipped with modern special tools and medical preparations. Most of them are leading experts in their field, who were directly involved in the elimination of Anthrax outbreaks, Ebola, and the development of anti-plague vaccines. Hence, the goal of gaining practical experience in the event of the spread of coronavirus in Russia is not set for them. At the same time, it’s obvious that any experience is useful and I’m sure it will give positive results in terms of saving lives and strengthening cooperation between Russian and Italian experts.

4. Why in your opinion did Italy end up in such a dire situation? Many talk about the political propaganda of Russia, while the European Union could not provide immediate assistance. What is your answer to this?

It is clearly not for us to analyze the reasons for the rapid spread of the virus in Italy. I can repeat the Russian saying: “One’s grief is everyone’s grief.” Against the dramatic backdrop of this harsh situation on the Apennines, Russia could not remain indifferent in the face of such a severe circumstances in Italy. I am sure that the expression “the spirit of Pratica di Mare” is now acquiring a new meaning - it is helping the friendly Italian people, regardless of the international political context.

In the past, Russia has repeatedly extended a helping hand to Italians. In 1908, during the devastating Messina earthquake, Russian sailors rescued the inhabitants of the city from under the wreckage of Messina and evacuated them to their hospitals on board the ships. Thousands of lives have been saved. However, some of our compatriots died. It is gratifying that their feat is honored in Italy and, in particular, in Sicily, till this day.

Recent history bears an example of the devastating earthquake in Aquila in 2009, when Russia was one of the first countries to send a large group of rescuers from the Ministry of Emergencies of Russia to eliminate the consequences of the disaster, and then, according to the decision of the Government of Russia, allocated significant funds for the restoration of architectural monuments in Aquila, which are currently being restored.

As for political propaganda, by asking this question, one should certainly feel awkward. What kind of propaganda are we talking about? Russia, responds to the request of the Italian leadership. We are ready to provide large-scale selfless assistance (I repeat, deliveries from the Ministry of Defense are free of charge).

Regarding the actions of other partners, this applies exclusively to the sphere of relations between Italy and them, and it is not up to us to give any judgments.

5. What is solidarity in your understanding?

Some in Europe understand solidarity as a universal commitment to sanctions and bloc discipline. In our opinion, solidarity should be understood differently. Nations with a long history of friendships should lend a helping hand to each other in difficult times. The President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, has repeatedly called for a united effort to combat new global challenges and threats. And what could be more dangerous than the rapidly spreading epidemic? As I said earlier, to us there is no “alien’s” grief.