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Distinguished delegates,
As I speak, the Eastern European countries aspiring to join the European family of free
and democratic nations are facing constant pressures and threats.
Armenia has been cornered and forced to sign Customs Union, which is not in this nation's
interest or in the interest of our region.
Moldova is being blockaded, Ukraine is under constant attack, Azerbaijan faces extraordinary
pressure, and Georgia is occupied.
Why? Because an old Empire is trying to reclaim its bygone borders. And 'borders' is actually
not the right word, since this Empire -- be it the Russian Empire, the Soviet Union, the
Russian Federation, or the Eurasian Union - never had borders. It only had margins.
I came today to speak in the name of these margins.
Unlike most nations, the Russian Federation has no interest in having stable states around
it.
Neighboring countries in constant turmoil is what the Kremlin is seeking. It rejects
the very idea of strong governments in Georgia, Ukraine, or Moldova, even ones that try to
be friendly to its interests.
I was never a great fan of what the French call La langue de bois, but as my second term
nears its end, I feel more than before the urge to speak my mind.
So let us be concrete.
Do you think that Vladimir Putin wants Armenia to decisively triumph over Azerbaijan, for
instance? No. This would make Armenia too strong and potentially too independent.
Do you think then that the contrary is true, that Moscow wants Baku to prevail over Yerevan?
Obviously not. The current rise of a modernized, dynamic Azerbaijan is a nightmare for the
Russian leaders.
No, they do not want anyone to prevail and the conflict itself is their objective, since
it keeps both nations dependent and blocks their integration into the European common
space.