Putin Offers Condolences to New American Ambassador Over Las Vegas Shootings

The president received credentials from the ambassadors of 20 states. Traditionally, the Russian leader outlined his stance on the situation in the world and commented on the bilateral relations with countries whose representatives had arrived in the Kremlin today.

Today Vladimir Putin expressed his opinion of the situation in Spain. The president received credentials from the ambassadors of 20 states. Traditionally, the Russian leader outlined his stance on the situation in the world and commented on the bilateral relations with countries whose representatives had arrived in the Kremlin today. What does the president think of the Catalan referendum? How to improve the relations with the US? How to settle the Syrian conflict? Dmitry Petrov has the details.

 

Traditionally, the ceremony is held in the Alexander Hall of the Grand Kremlin Palace. Under the protocol, extraordinary and plenipotentiary ambassadors must personally present the certificates signed by the heads of state, which they represent, and sealed by the foreign ministers. The order is determined by the date and hour when the head of the mission arrives in the Russian Federation.

Austere and concise ceremonial. Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Ibanez Rubio is the first to present credentials. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established 350 years ago, but the current situation in Spain raises concern. And Putin admits that we worry about her.

Vladimir Putin: "Our people are bound together by the feelings of mutual sympathy and respect. Everyone is talking about the Catalonian referendum now. Frankly, we are seriously concerned about Spain, but this is an internal affair of the Kingdom of Spain. We hope it will overcome this crisis".

The representatives of such big countries as France, Argentina, Mexico, Portugal also present credentials today. The new United States ambassador, Jon Huntsman, arrived in Moscow just a couple of days ago. He's 57, head to a large family with 7 children. Huntsman graduated from the University of Pennsylvania, he was a businessman before becoming a diplomat. He was an ambassador to Singapore and China. In 2014, he headed the Atlantic Council, which in many ways determines the US policy towards Russia. Now he will have the opportunity to get to know our country.

Vladimir Putin: "I would like to express my most sincere condolences to the nation and the country leaders in connection with the horrible tragedy in Las Vegas. We are mourning with all those who lost their relatives and friends and wish recovery to all the wounded. As for bilateral relations with the United States, the current level is unsatisfactory. We stand for constructive, predictable and mutually beneficial cooperation. We are convinced that it should be based on the strict observance of the principles of equality, respect for national interests and non-interference in domestic affairs".

Speaking about the future work of the ambassadors, Vladimir Putin noted that the situation in the world is becoming more complicated, with new conflicts and challenges emerging. And in these conditions only the UN remains the guarantor of stability and predictability in international affairs, including the settlement of the Syrian conflict.

Putin also touched upon the North Korean issue. Moscow condemns Pyongyang's actions, violating the UN Security Council resolution. But the President believes that using increasingly militant rhetoric is not just a road to nowhere but also a destructive policy.

Vladimir Putin: "In a modern world, conflicts must be settled with due regard for many factors, some of them extremely delicate ones, and through compromise. Speaking about the Ukrainian crisis, this approach is reflected in the Package of Measures, which was coordinated in Minsk in February 2015. To give an additional impetus towards a settlement, Russia has recently advanced an initiative for a UN mission to protect OSCE observers in Donbass".

Among the 20 diplomats there are also quite unexpected personalities. For example, Grenada will be represented by Oleg Pavlovich Firer, born in Odessa. Putin expressed his hope that with him Grenada's embassy in Russia would be opened.

Anticipating the informal part of the ceremony, the Russian president wished the ambassadors that their work in Russia would be fruitful and contributed to the development of the bilateral relations.

Dmitry Petrov, Pyotr Ravnov, Viktor Vinogradov and Viktor Mamaev for Vesti from the Kremlin.