EMBASSY INFORMS
Question: With India and Russia set to resume high-level engagements after the Covid-19 crisis, what will be priorities for bilateral agenda in 2021?
Sergey Lavrov: Russia is satisfied with the vigorous political dialogue with India on all levels that keeps on actively developing despite serious restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020 we managed to successfully organize several events in face-to-face and online formats. Summits of the SCO and BRICS – a new type of multilateral associations where our countries cooperate fruitfully – are among them. Vyacheslav Nikonov: The word “war” has been heard increasingly more often lately. US and NATO politicians, even more so the Ukrainian military, have no trouble saying it. Do you have more reasons to be concerned now than ever before?
Sergey Lavrov: Yes and no. On the one hand, the confrontation has hit bottom. On the other, deep down, there’s still hope that we are adults and understand the risks associated with escalating tensions further. However, our Western colleagues introduced the word “war” into the diplomatic and international usage. “The hybrid war unleashed by Russia” is a very popular description of what the West perceives as the main event in international life. I still believe that good judgment will prevail. Question: Newly appointed to lead the inquest into the death of Dawn Sturgess, Baroness Hallet has announced her plans to examine the Russian state’s involvement in poisoning of Sergei and Yulia Skripal in Salisbury as part of the inquest. Any comments?
Answer: We see it as a confirmation of our earlier conclusion that the situation with regard to these tragic events would evolve according to the Litvinenko Case scenario. Regular investigation and regular use of existing international legal instruments (since there have been Russian nationals affected) is being substituted with a quasi-judicial procedure. It does not formally pertain to the incident in Salisbury as such, yet would undoubtedly be used to support again and again the groundless accusations against Russia made by the British authorities. Ambassador Andrei Kelin gave an interview to RT, speaking on the current state of Russia-UK relations and their prospects. Ladies and gentlemen,
We held constructive, substantive and fruitful talks with Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Chung Eui-yong. Ambassador Andrei Kelin's interview to LBC Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has been summoned to Moscow for consultations in order to analyse what needs to be done in the context of relations with the United States. The Government of the Russian Federation has decided to extend the suspension of flights from the UK to Russia until 23 h 59 min of 16 April 2021. The hundredth anniversary of the first Soviet-British trade agreement is a memorable date. Its conclusion marked a milestone in the rich history of the Russian-British bilateral relations. This centenary is also a good reason for all of us to take a positive look at the prospects of our bilateral ties, based on the existing experience. This month marks 10 years since the beginning of the “Arab Spring” in Syria.
What had been peaceful rallies at first, was quickly fuelled by the significant foreign interference and within several months had grown up into fierce clashes with the government forces. Later it paved the way for a full-scale civil war. The dire situation was further aggravated when ISIL and a number of other terrorist groups conquered significant part of the country’s territory, causing even more unbearable damage to the economy, infrastructure, human and cultural legacy of the Syrian Arab Republic.
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