٠٠:٠٧:٣٢Seychelles-Russia Friendship Association Chair Vincent Meriton stated that his country 'never supported' Western sanctions against Moscow, speaking at a session of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Saturday.
"Seychelles never supported sanctions against Russia. And despite the pandemic and conflict in Ukraine, the economic and people to people relations between Seychelles and Russia continue to grow from strength to strength. Last year, Russia was the third largest market in the tourism industry for Seychelles," Meriton said.
He also praised Moscow’s 'long-standing commitment' to African countries.
"Russia has been a steadfast friend aiding in our development efforts and standing by us in times of need, but never ever interfering into our governance. Never have they, never has Russia been interfering in our way we govern our respective countries. For this, I respect and applaud Russia," he added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Commission on Information Policy and Co-operation with Media Aleksey Pushkov spoke about the confrontation between Moscow and Washington and potential nuclear conflict.
"There can be no war between NATO and Russia by conventional methods. At some point, one side or the other will find the situation deteriorating. Wars cannot end in a draw. Yes, they must end with at least a relative victory for one of the two sides. And that means that one of the sides will be sorely tempted to use nuclear weapons," Pushkov said, adding that the main task was 'to prevent this catastrophic scenario'.
Earlier on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised that Moscow would opt to use its nuclear weapons only in 'exceptional circumstances' when the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened.
SPIEF 2024 took place in Saint Petersburg from June 5-8. Since its inception in 1997, the forum has served as a platform for international dialogue on economic matters, with the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation's president since 2005.
According to Russian presidential adviser Anton Kobyakov, over 21,000 people from 139 countries attended the forum this year.
Since the start of the military offensive, around 60 countries joined with EU and US sanctions policies on Russia.
Last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that more than 20,000 restrictions were already in place, targeting finance, defence, energy, transport, technology, culture, science, and industry. Additionally, a number of sanctions have been imposed on specific individuals and organisations.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov claimed that restrictions will only 'boomerang' on those attempting to impose them.
'Never supported sanctions' - Seychelles-Russia Friendship Association Chairperson praises Moscow's commitment
Seychelles-Russia Friendship Association Chair Vincent Meriton stated that his country 'never supported' Western sanctions against Moscow, speaking at a session of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Saturday.
"Seychelles never supported sanctions against Russia. And despite the pandemic and conflict in Ukraine, the economic and people to people relations between Seychelles and Russia continue to grow from strength to strength. Last year, Russia was the third largest market in the tourism industry for Seychelles," Meriton said.
He also praised Moscow’s 'long-standing commitment' to African countries.
"Russia has been a steadfast friend aiding in our development efforts and standing by us in times of need, but never ever interfering into our governance. Never have they, never has Russia been interfering in our way we govern our respective countries. For this, I respect and applaud Russia," he added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Commission on Information Policy and Co-operation with Media Aleksey Pushkov spoke about the confrontation between Moscow and Washington and potential nuclear conflict.
"There can be no war between NATO and Russia by conventional methods. At some point, one side or the other will find the situation deteriorating. Wars cannot end in a draw. Yes, they must end with at least a relative victory for one of the two sides. And that means that one of the sides will be sorely tempted to use nuclear weapons," Pushkov said, adding that the main task was 'to prevent this catastrophic scenario'.
Earlier on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised that Moscow would opt to use its nuclear weapons only in 'exceptional circumstances' when the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened.
SPIEF 2024 took place in Saint Petersburg from June 5-8. Since its inception in 1997, the forum has served as a platform for international dialogue on economic matters, with the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation's president since 2005.
According to Russian presidential adviser Anton Kobyakov, over 21,000 people from 139 countries attended the forum this year.
Since the start of the military offensive, around 60 countries joined with EU and US sanctions policies on Russia.
Last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that more than 20,000 restrictions were already in place, targeting finance, defence, energy, transport, technology, culture, science, and industry. Additionally, a number of sanctions have been imposed on specific individuals and organisations.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov claimed that restrictions will only 'boomerang' on those attempting to impose them.
Seychelles-Russia Friendship Association Chair Vincent Meriton stated that his country 'never supported' Western sanctions against Moscow, speaking at a session of the 27th St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on Saturday.
"Seychelles never supported sanctions against Russia. And despite the pandemic and conflict in Ukraine, the economic and people to people relations between Seychelles and Russia continue to grow from strength to strength. Last year, Russia was the third largest market in the tourism industry for Seychelles," Meriton said.
He also praised Moscow’s 'long-standing commitment' to African countries.
"Russia has been a steadfast friend aiding in our development efforts and standing by us in times of need, but never ever interfering into our governance. Never have they, never has Russia been interfering in our way we govern our respective countries. For this, I respect and applaud Russia," he added.
Meanwhile, Chairman of the Russian Federation Council’s Commission on Information Policy and Co-operation with Media Aleksey Pushkov spoke about the confrontation between Moscow and Washington and potential nuclear conflict.
"There can be no war between NATO and Russia by conventional methods. At some point, one side or the other will find the situation deteriorating. Wars cannot end in a draw. Yes, they must end with at least a relative victory for one of the two sides. And that means that one of the sides will be sorely tempted to use nuclear weapons," Pushkov said, adding that the main task was 'to prevent this catastrophic scenario'.
Earlier on Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin emphasised that Moscow would opt to use its nuclear weapons only in 'exceptional circumstances' when the country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity are threatened.
SPIEF 2024 took place in Saint Petersburg from June 5-8. Since its inception in 1997, the forum has served as a platform for international dialogue on economic matters, with the patronage and participation of the Russian Federation's president since 2005.
According to Russian presidential adviser Anton Kobyakov, over 21,000 people from 139 countries attended the forum this year.
Since the start of the military offensive, around 60 countries joined with EU and US sanctions policies on Russia.
Last month, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova stated that more than 20,000 restrictions were already in place, targeting finance, defence, energy, transport, technology, culture, science, and industry. Additionally, a number of sanctions have been imposed on specific individuals and organisations.
Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitri Peskov claimed that restrictions will only 'boomerang' on those attempting to impose them.