Lavrov: There is No Reasoning With Rabid Russophobia, Despite New Evidence That Has Come to Light
So, we have the provocations in Syria's Douma, and the poisonings in Salisbury, bullying Russia, and the peaceful Washington-Pyongyang negotiations. Sergey Lavrov was interviewed by the 'Russia Today' informational agency today, expressing his view on the current international situation.
His key statements are brought to you by Matvey Popov.
The interview has lasted for less than an hour, but Dmitry Kiselyov and Sergey Lavrov have covered all the essential international issues, including the detective story that unraveled in Salisbury. The OPCW mission has arrived to investigate the Skripal poisoning case. However, the results they have obtained are so odd, it seems that the UK side deliberately pushes certain samples towards their guests.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister: "It's a well-known fact that when the British asked the OPCW for technical help, they didn't just hand them the substance sample from the incident site, they told them to look for a specific chemical substance in it. This was all premeditated, and the OPCW experts technically confirmed that they had found the substance, described by the British, but in very pure state, and that there were high concentration levels of it in the sample, which means it was injected into the sample right before the expertise. Because in two weeks, it would have metabolized and had a different consistency".
They also talked about another OPCW mission in Douma, Syria, following the traces of the infamous provocation by the White Helmets. They declared a chemical attack by the government, and journalists immediately found the people that the militants had used as actors. The Minister assumes that these Syrians may eventually testify to the UNSC. But, he also said that fake victims weren't the only thing our servicemen had found in Douma.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister: "Recently, after they freed Douma, our MOD has discovered a chemical substance warehouse, including those produced in Germany and also in Porton Down, Salisbury. Right now, they're performing expert examinations on their discoveries. However, besides everything that has transpired, nobody hides the fact that the fake attack video was fabricated by the White Helmets. They work exclusively on the territories, controlled by the militants from groups like Jabhat Al-Nusra. They are also responsible for staging a similar attack in Khan Shaykhun a year ago. Also, it's no secret that they are financed by the UK, the US, and other Western countries".
The events in Douma and the Skripals' poisoning in Salisbury, the UK, have been used by some UK politicians and by the mass media to justify new attempts to attack Russia. Sergey Lavrov thinks that the Russo-phobic campaign is currently declining.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister: "When the politicians try to foment their country's government, demanding more confrontation, including financial confrontation, it's irresponsible. They achieve or try to achieve their own political goals, the fierce cross-party battle continues, it shows in the Congress, too, and they play the Russian card. They understand that there's ground for cooperation based on Russo-phobia. However, this campaign is still declining".
The Minister mentioned that 'declining' doesn't mean 'ending.' The thing is, those who are behind attacking Russia are running out of stamina. They are losing their rhythm, losing to the other politicians who want to cooperate with Russia. Particularly, this is why we shouldn't fear a direct conflict between Russia and the US. Russia and the US both have enough sane people who won't allow the events to take this turn.
Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister:"I think that the US Secretary of Defense Mattis and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Dunford understand that any actions that can provoke a direct military showdown between Russian and the US are unacceptable. I think it's so obvious that the military are bound to understand it. They know it better than others. Revisiting the issue of the risk of a military showdown, I proceed from the fact that the military won't allow this to happen. I'm sure that neither President Putin nor President Trump will let this happen, either. They're the leaders, elected by their people, and it's their responsibility to ensure a peaceful life for them."
At the end of the interview, they mention the negotiations between the US and North Korea. We know that Trump talks about being ready to meet with the North Korean leader, but gives him ultimatums at the same time. Lavrov believes that stakes are often raised in the international diplomacy before an important meeting, emphasizing that Russia cannot wish for this meeting to fail.
Matvey Popov, Vesti.