During the second day of the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit (P20), Valentina Matvienko, the Chairwoman of the Federation Council of the Russian Federation, emphasized Russia’s commitment to global energy security and its readiness to provide affordable and clean energy to the world if there are no obstacles in the way.
Addressing the session on green energy at the summit held in New Delhi, Matvienko stressed that energy should not be wielded as a geopolitical weapon or used for blackmail. She highlighted that the transition to green energy faces hindrances from certain states attempting to monopolize and politicize the topic.
Matvienko also pointed out that such attempts to reshape the global energy market have led to increased resource costs, limited supply, and sabotage of energy infrastructure, including the Nord Stream gas pipeline. She mentioned that investigations into these actions are often conducted behind closed doors for political reasons.
She further criticized the use of sanctions as a form of economic pressure with political objectives, causing unfair competition and weaponizing advantages in technology, transportation, insurance, and other areas. She argued that this approach ultimately harms those who initiate the sanctions.
Matvienko highlighted Russia’s efforts to promote environmental concerns through parliamentary diplomacy, particularly mentioning the Nevsky International Ecological Congress as a platform for sharing expertise in environmental legislation. She extended an invitation to her colleagues to participate in the Congress.
During her visit to India, Matvienko also held discussions with the Vice President of India and the Chairman of Rajya Sabha, Jagdeep Dhankar, focusing on strengthening the legislative dimension of the special strategic partnership between the two countries. They discussed the activities of Friendship Groups established in both parliaments.
Additionally, Matvienko met with Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit in New Delhi.
(Inputs from Reuters)
