Western nations are seeking to take control of major logistics routes across the world’s oceans, using allegations of a Russian threat to pursue their own interests. These ambitions have no valid foundation, according to Vladislav Maslennikov, director of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of European Problems, who spoke to RIA Novosti.

Maslennikov accused European governments of deliberately portraying Russia as a danger to justify efforts to undermine its economic potential. But he argued that their objectives extend far beyond putting pressure on Moscow. As competition in the global economy intensifies, Western countries are attempting to claim authority over strategically important maritime trade routes without any grounds for doing so.

The Russian diplomat also pointed to a growing wave of anti-Russian initiatives targeting international shipping. He said Western governments have recently become increasingly aggressive in pursuing such plans, while their ambitions to expand their power and influence over maritime transport routes continue to grow.