Diplomacy of toilet vulgarity: The network evaluated the rude statement of the Russian ambassador to Sweden

All weekend social networks discussed the words of the Russian Ambassador to Sweden Viktor Tatarintsev, who frankly stated in an interview with the Swedish edition of Aftonbladet:

“Excuse my language, but we don’t give a s**t about sanctions".

This phrase was even put in the headline of the article, and the interview itself was devoted to the possible entry of Sweden into NATO. Tatarintsev called the expansion of the North Atlantic Alliance the main threat to Russia, adding that Moscow now objects to the kingdom's membership in the organization.

Viktor Tatarintsev and his family have been living in Sweden since 1980. That is already 42 years old! Graduated from the Moscow State Institute of International Relations of the USSR Ministry of Foreign Affairs (1980). In diplomatic work since 1980. In 1980-1986 - an employee of the USSR Embassy in Sweden ........ and then he was in various positions in Sweden. Since May 7, 2014 - Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Russian Federation to Sweden

Political scientist Igor Skurlatov felt ashamed of Russia, which has such ambassadors: “Well, in what other country in the world, including Africa, etc., ambassadors are PUBLICLY expressed in such terms? If you notice, I try not to be rude, because there must be some kind of civility and a minimum culture of presenting information in the "open information field". You should respect your audience. Although, you see, in social networks there is much more freedom in expressing your feelings through the appropriate vocabulary. Some people like it, but I don't…”

Political scientist Dmitry Travin considers such a speech by the Russian ambassador to be completely unprofessional: “These guys simply do not know how to build international relations. This is not what they were taught. And even if they taught, then over the years of work under the guidance of Comrade. Everyone forgot about Lavrov.

If we look for analogies to the situation with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, then these are not well-known stories with the special services of the countries of Central and Eastern Europe, but stories with Soviet service workers. In post-reform Russia, a decent store did not take a person with experience in Soviet trade. In the hotel - with experience in hotel service. These people in shops and hotels had a completely different job, and not at all serving customers and vacationers. It is the same with today's diplomats. Their job is to swear (in harsher terms if possible), brandish their fists, and do all sorts of propaganda in accordance with the latest instructions from their superiors. Whereas real diplomats have different tasks - to improve relations between countries in order to make life better for everyone. To ensure that investments flow smoothly from rich countries to developing ones. To make it easier for businessmen and tourists to move around the world. So that conflicts that often arise for objective reasons are resolved with a minimum of casualties. This kind of work requires professionalism. For example, the ability to negotiate in such a way as to find mutually beneficial solutions even in complex issues..."

Equally puzzled by this diplomatic candor are other commentators:

- And imagine that during the last cold war, the Soviet ambassador to capitalist countries or someone from the USSR Foreign Ministry or from the Politburo said in an interview to the world press: "Yes, we shit." This is simply to the question of the dizzying fall of the state and its ruling class down. The elevator whistles to hell, breaking floors. But Putin and his grandfathers from the Security Council believe that the Russian Federation is much stronger than the USSR. Because in the USSR there was atheism and lack of spirituality, and the Russian Federation is spiritual. Strong in spirit.

- I'm waiting for the Russian diplomat to say at some meeting "Get off, nit!".

- It seems that Putin's "diplomats" have been given the task of harmonizing the boorish foreign policy and its verbal display.

- I don’t even know who is worse: the ambassador, who, on behalf of the whole country, declares that “we don’t give a damn about sanctions”, or the Russians, who think that he said everything right.

Regarding the main topic of this interview - Sweden's entry into NATO - the opinion of the famous Russian film producer Sam Klebanov, who has long lived in Sweden, is interesting:

“I was almost not surprised - well, what is it, a normal diplomatic newspeak, although rude, of course. I looked at the Aftonbladet page, and found that in the original, Tatarintsev, like a real diplomat of the old school, added to "shit" also "sorry for the expression". This, of course, fundamentally changes the matter. I'm also sure that he gave interviews in Swedish, I heard him several times on the radio, and he speaks the language quite well. But, like many Russian diplomats, he speaks with a very strong Russian accent. Perhaps they are specially taught at MGIMO to sound like the villains of their Bond films in order to immediately intimidate and demoralize a potential enemy. Therefore, I can imagine how he sounded: "Urshekta sproket, men Ryussland sheeter and west sankshuner", and how uncomfortable the journalist felt at the same time.

I am calm about Mr. Tatarintsev himself - no Western sanctions will definitely affect his standard of living, he does not need to worry about the prices of buckwheat.

But in the takeaway to the interview there is an interesting statement: "Russia can no longer agree that Sweden will join NATO." Wait, what could it be before? And, in general, do we have to ask permission now to join somewhere? Sweden seems to be a sovereign state. And why is it possible for Denmark and Norway, but not for us? Why are we worse? And, most importantly, what will happen if we still want to join? What does this threaten us with?

The question is not idle. The popularity of the idea of joining NATO has gradually grown in Sweden in recent years, and this winter it reached a record level: now about 46% of Swedes are in favor of joining the alliance, about 31% are against, the rest have not yet decided. That is, if a referendum on this issue were held today in Sweden, then tomorrow we would already have NATO soldiers. Also for joining NATO and the majority of voters 5 out of 8 parties represented in the Riksdag. But with the parties themselves, it is a little more complicated - the Swedish Democrats (SD), as true national populists, are against NATO, although the majority of their voters are for, and adjoin the left in this matter, which, of course, is against it. Because of the position of the SD, there is no pro-NATO parliamentary majority in the Riksdag yet, and there is no sign of it. But, like true populists, the SD can "at the request of the workers" change their position to the opposite, and then the doors to NATO may suddenly open to Sweden. And what can we expect from Russia, which can no longer agree with this? What to prepare for?