History once again provided Russia with a chance to appear in the natural, organic role of a peacemaker. Moscow called on NATO to abandon military exercises for the celebration of the 75th anniversary of victory in the Great Patriotic War. Sounds reasonable. Is it really necessary to rattle arms on this joyful, but also tragic date? And most importantly, for what political purpose? Show your succession to German Nazism in its confrontation with our country? Stupid.

According to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko, Russia understood that the Defender Europe 2020 exercises, whose active phase will take place in May, have not only a military, but also a political dimension. While the world will bow its head to the memory of the victors of fascism, "Western propaganda centers will increase their information campaign, accusing Russia of aggressive intentions." Indeed, the West is a master at such moves.

But the coronavirus “ruined” everything. The pandemic has shown that real threats are on a different plane. Moreover, they relate to both sides of the potential military confrontation - both Russia and NATO countries. Thus, the decision taken at one time by the United States to break all military contacts suddenly turned out to be inappropriate. The new threat did not require confrontation, but cooperation, including the military, our diplomat noted.

It seems that this has already reached some people in NATO. In any case, they hastily made adjustments to their plans. The same Americans decided not to increase the number of their troops in Europe. Only those 6 thousand military personnel who are already in the Old World will take part in the exercises. The decision to increase their number to 20 thousand was revised. The position of Russia is that the NATO exercises should be curtailed completely, and not partially.

By exposing such a tough demand, Moscow itself sets an example. Russia on an initiative basis refused to conduct exercises near the borders of NATO countries, said on the eve of the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation General Alexander Fomin. Even our military aircraft flies over the Baltic with transponders turned on, showing the adversary his utmost openness and inviting him to answer the same. But on the other side they are still slowing down.

As it became known, the warships of the Second Permanent Naval Group of NATO advanced into the Black Sea. The squadron is Canadian, Italian and Turkish frigates. They have already passed the Bosphorus, and soon a Romanian ship will join them. The development of interoperability in the Black Sea waters suggests the presence of an adversary there. And he is. It's Russia. This is our Crimea.

Particularly surprising is the participation in the grouping of the Italian ship. At the same time that it was preparing for hostilities, the 14th transport plane Il-76 of the Russian Aerospace Forces delivered aid to Italy to combat the epidemic. A good help to the Italian ground forces, engaged in the export of coffins with those killed by the coronavirus.

Against this background, Washington’s actions, frightening Rome and Europe with the fake “Russian threat”, look unconvincing.

Moreover, Russia renders assistance to the cradle of European civilization completely disinterestedly. Obeying, it seems, the eternal mission of our very real savior of the world. “There can be no talk of any conditions, calculations or hopes,” said Dmitry Peskov. Moscow does not even insist on Rome’s special position on the lifting of anti-Russian sanctions, as some might think. Like, God be your judge. Decide for yourself.

If not politicians who are often on their minds, then the Italian military appreciated the efforts of our Ministry of Defense. Enzo Vicerelli, Chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Italy, thanked Russia for the assistance provided in the fight against the epidemic. This is natural and understandable. When death is mowing down your compatriots, political antics are inappropriate. Sometimes it seems that if the generals ruled the world, it would have more common sense. The next step should be the abolition of exercises.

However, the mind is the destiny of a few. The adequate reaction of the Italian military immediately alerted Poland. They called Russia's help an attempt to destroy the unity of NATO. No more, no less. Truly "hell of Europe"! At the same time, it is recognized that Italy does not receive any assistance from the countries of the alliance. So who is ruining his unity? Are the NATO members themselves? Against this background, Ukraine’s request for an alliance sounds completely hopeless. After all, they don’t even help their own.

The strength of the Russian position also lies in the fact that it was not Moscow that offered help, but Rome asked. Less than a day passed after the telephone call of Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte to Vladimir Putin - and now our military virologists have landed on the Apennines. In a sense, this whole operation resembles our Syrian campaign, whose goal is the same - to rid the world of the worst misfortune. I say, Russia is the savior of the world.

Having such a moral backlog, Moscow is quite right to demand that its political and military counterparts behave more restrainedly - curtail their teachings and not tease the winner of Nazism on a holy date. Even if Western politicians do not like it, the opinion of a common people, observing who is really his friend and who doesn’t care, can make them change their minds. They will also ask to confront on May 9 to stand on Red Square.

And we do not mind, we will let go. And even invite. Again.

The author’s point of view may not coincide with the position of the publisher.