MOSCOW. Sept 22 (Interfax) - External forces have managed to undermine confidence on the European continent, Russia State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said.
"I have to say that, if someone planned to undermine confidence on the European continent, unfortunately, a lot was done in this area in the past few months. And that is the most serious threat to European security now," Naryshkin said at the discussion platform Open Tribune in the State Duma on Monday.
Naryshkin reiterated that Russia's position remains consistent and definite in the current situation. "The main thing is to prevent further escalation of the conflict, prevent a new spiral of violence, and do everything to support the peace process," he said.
Naryshkin said that this will determine confidence and security on the European continent. "European political and public forces should be united to achieve this goal," he said.
Naryshkin pointed out that actions taken by Russia have often prevented crises and, on the contrary, attempts to isolate Russia have led to crises and disasters.
"Unfortunately, not everyone has learned the lessons taught by history, and speculative statements about a so-called Russian threat are being made again. Clearly, this chorus is orchestrated from overseas, and the goal is clear, too: these are attempts to weaken the positions of Russia and all European countries," Naryshkin said.
"The so-called Euro-Atlantic solidarity is becoming increasingly less European and more Atlantic," he said.
Naryshkin said the attempts to undermine confidence began a long time ago and the events in Ukraine only spurred up this campaign.