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Chapter 2534 The Butterfly of Moscow (Third Update, Please Subscribe)

Soviet naval fleet conducts counter-terrorism mission in Syrian waters!
The most shocking news was the Soviet Union's announcement of a counter-terrorism mission in the Middle East.

Moreover, in order to demonstrate its "counter-terrorism" decision, it announced corresponding military exercises. At the very beginning of the exercises, the Minsk aircraft carrier launched Basalt anti-ship missiles.

Meanwhile, MiG-29 fighter jets launched from the Minsk aircraft carrier also arrived over Syria according to the exercise plan to provide air support to the Syrian army, which was "attacked by terrorists".

The whole world was shocked – the Russians were up to something!
"This is the most shameless and brazen argument I've ever seen,"

In the study of the official residence, Song Deqing still sounded indignant when he mentioned this matter.

"Your Excellency, they not only claimed to be going to Syria to carry out counter-terrorism missions, but also designated areas in Syrian waters to conduct 'air and sea counter-terrorism exercises.' Their planes even flew into Syria!"
"These are the Russians!"

Li Yi'an said in a nonchalant tone:
"From the very beginning, when they sent aircraft carriers to the Mediterranean, it was all destined to happen, but... who could have imagined that they would also come to fight terrorism?"

This is perhaps the essence of Russian diplomacy.

The SEA and the UK launched this war under the pretext of "counter-terrorism," and Moscow was quite straightforward: you want to fight terrorism, right?
Then I'll join the fight against terrorism too.

Everyone is here to fight terrorism; you can't just say, "You're the only one allowed to fight terrorism."

"Moscow... They've done a pretty good job with this. Do they even know who orchestrated it?"

While feeling impressed, Li Yi'an was also a little curious about who had planned this "counter-terrorism operation"—it was truly impressive!
Putting everything else aside, the fact that they intervened in Syria under the guise of "counter-terrorism" has already shocked the world.

"It's not entirely clear yet, but based on our understanding, this idea doesn't fit the Kremlin's usual practices; they're not known for such meticulousness..."

After thinking for a moment, Song Deqing said:
"In the past, they did things in a crude and simplistic way, Your Excellency. But this time, they used such an excuse to interfere in Syrian affairs. I think there may be an official in their senior ranks or in their foreign ministry who is influential enough to influence the senior leadership. In future confrontations, we will have to face the reality that their foreign policy may become more flexible."

Although Song Deqing was initially angry, after calming down, he quickly realized that this incident likely indicated a change in Moscow's diplomatic approach.

In comparison, this is the most important thing.

Nodding slightly, Li Yi'an said:
“We’ve gotten used to dealing with their straightforward and crude methods, and now that they’ve suddenly started doing things meticulously, it’s a bit hard to get used to. We need to find out exactly who devised the diplomatic cover for this operation, and figure out that person’s identity, location, and influence over the higher-ups.”

In international affairs, any change in a country's diplomatic tactics is worth paying attention to, as it relates to the country's future direction.

Just like the other side, they had become accustomed to being condemned, but who would have thought that there would be no condemnation at all? This in itself indicates a change in their foreign policy.

What impact will Moscow's changing diplomatic tactics have on the world?

Li Yi'an was still very curious, after all, during the entire Cold War, Soviet diplomacy... was simple and brutal.

They then exchanged a few more words, after which Li Yi'an picked up the report and asked:

"Did they really install 20 Basalt anti-ship missiles on the aircraft carrier?"

"Yes, Your Excellency. During the exercise, they fired two anti-ship missiles at the hijacked warship and successfully sank it."

When the topic of "hijacking a warship" came up, Song Deqing couldn't help but grin. Good heavens, that's incredible!

Terrorists can actually hijack warships. Which country's terrorists are so powerful?
Such a simple and crude reason is something only the Russians could come up with. But despite its simplicity and crudeness, it is very effective in practice.

It's clearly telling everyone – I'm fighting terrorism!

As for what exactly they are opposing, everyone knows it in their hearts!
But what is the biggest advantage of this operation?
The goal was to prevent the situation from escalating further, and it must be said that Moscow handled this matter very well.

"Heavy aircraft-carrying cruisers...only the Russians could come up with that!"

While reflecting on this, Li Yi'an thought of another world, the massive missile launch bay of the Kuznev aircraft carrier, where the hangar space was even sacrificed to install heavy anti-ship missiles.

And now?

Despite being an aircraft carrier equipped with catapults, the Minsk was still fitted with heavy anti-ship missiles for use in anti-ship attacks.

So, what are fighter jets used for?

The Soviet Union's military thinking is truly perplexing.

Sometimes, you can't rely on common sense to make judgments!

After Song Deqing left, looking at the report on the Soviet Union's anti-terrorism exercises in Syria, Li Yi'an still couldn't help but say:

"interesting……"

At this moment, he was also curious about who had devised this strategy.
Recalling the Soviet Union's actions throughout the Cold War, Li Yi'an couldn't find any similar behavior, or rather, similar operational methods. Perhaps this is the effect of the butterfly effect!

But who is that butterfly?

……

Meanwhile, in Moscow, footsteps echoed in the spacious corridors of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs building, some hurried, some unhurried.

You can generally tell which department they're from just by their footsteps. The unhurried manner suggests they're from the First European Division, which is responsible for Western European affairs and usually doesn't have any emergencies. The same goes for the American Division.

The departments that are in a hurry are mostly the Second European Department and the African Department. The former is responsible for the EU countries in Eastern Europe, and the latter is responsible for friendly African countries. These are the departments with the most business.

In contrast, the ministerial committee has a much easier time. Although the committee is a collective decision-making body within the ministry, composed of the minister, deputy ministers, and heads of key departments, Natasha, as the committee secretary, is directly involved in decision-making.

Two years ago, after ending her post in France, Natasha returned to Moscow, first working in the First European Department, and then becoming the secretary of the ministry's committee at the beginning of the year.

Young officials like her are not common in the ministry, but those in such high positions are extremely rare.

Actually, this is only natural.

As the afternoon workday was drawing to a close, Natasha, as usual, put the classified documents in the safe, tidied up, and was about to leave when the phone rang.

It was a call from the minister's office. Hearing the voice on the other end of the line, Natasha took off the fur coat she had just put on and walked out of her office toward the minister's office. As soon as Elena saw Natasha outside the minister's office, her face was full of smiles.

"Nasha, dear Nasha, you are always so beautiful."

Looking at the woman in front of her, Natasha smiled:
"Elena, you're here too. Is there anything I can help you with, Minister?"

"The minister just returned from the Kremlin. He was in a very good mood and asked me to call you before he even went inside."

Although the reason for the minister's summons is unknown, based on this information, it shouldn't be a bad thing.

Taking a deep breath, Natasha pushed open the door and went inside.

"Comrade Minister."

Before she could finish speaking, Gromyko stood up and laughed:
"Haha, little Natasha, do you know what? Even the Kremlin is praising you now!"

Gromyko's tone was friendly as he continued:

"Even Comrade Brezhnev said, 'Oh my, our little Natasha has grown up and come up with such a strategy. Compared to her, we really are a bunch of old guys...'"

Hearing Gromyko say this, Natasha quickly replied:
"Uncle Andrei, there's something I don't quite understand."

It's no longer appropriate to call someone "comrade" now.

Looking at Natasha's puzzled expression, Gromyko smiled and said:
"Anti-terrorism military operation!"

Gromyko gestured for Natasha to sit down and said:
“Originally, we could have entered under the pretext of maintaining the sovereignty of our allies, but that would have inevitably provoked a confrontation with the UK and the SEA. However, as you said, since the coalition entered the Middle East under the pretext of counter-terrorism, we can also use the same reason to join forces with Syria in counter-terrorism operations. After all… counter-terrorism is just a pretext!”

As he spoke, his gaze toward Natasha was filled with admiration, an admiration that was more of an admiration for a younger person.

Natasha is indeed a junior.

"Yes, Uncle, what we need is a pretext that the other side cannot stop. With this pretext, there will be more room for maneuver in the confrontation between major powers."

Listening to Natasha's analysis, Gromyko nodded in deep agreement, and then said:
"Indeed, Syria is important, but that does not mean we should confront Western countries on all fronts. Counterterrorism, under that pretext, can prevent the standoff from escalating further. And as it turns out, even the SEA cannot stop us from 'participating' in the fight against terrorism."

They had no choice but to acquiesce to our entry into Syria!

Looking at Natasha, Gromyko smiled and said:

“Nasha, the success of this operation is not only because we now possess an aircraft carrier capable of confronting Western countries, but also… it was your idea. Comrade Brezhnev also thought so, so…”

After a slight pause, Gromyko looked at the younger man before him and said:

"Comrade Brezhnev believes that an outstanding comrade like you should be given a more important position. Therefore, I would like to suggest that you be assigned to the Department of Cultural Liaison. What do you think? Of course, this is just a suggestion. If you or Comrade Marshal have any other ideas, you can call me at any time."

As he spoke, he glanced at his watch, then smiled and said:
"Alright, I only called you over because I was so happy. School's about to let out, so hurry up and pick up our little Andrei. Don't keep him waiting too long!"

(End of this chapter)