The Russian foreign Ministry called the cancellation of the visit to Moscow of foreign Minister of great Britain Boris Johnson “diplomatic know-how.” This was written by the official representative of Russian foreign Ministry Maria Zakharova on his page in Facebook.
“What are they interesting: about the visit to Moscow has not been announced, and cancel are not forgotten. Some know-how in diplomacy,” she wrote.
The Minister of foreign Affairs of Russia Sergey Lavrov discussed the incident with his British counterpart by phone. “During the meeting, they discussed issues of training planned in the near future a working visit to Moscow of foreign Minister of great Britain”, — is spoken in the message of the Russian foreign Ministry. It also notes that the talks, Lavrov and Johnson was held at the initiative of the British side.
Cancellations Johnson announced earlier today at the British Embassy. “Unfortunately we have to postpone the visit of Minister of foreign Affairs of great Britain to Russia, scheduled for this month, in connection with changes in the schedule of the meeting of foreign Ministers of countries-members of NATO”, — said the representative of the British Embassy in Moscow. They also stressed that Johnson “looks forward to the possibility to resume the visit as soon as possible”.
The visit of the head of the British foreign office to Moscow first announced in early March. Then it was reported that the trip should take place “in the coming weeks.” The British clarified that the decision was made after the relevant proposal of the Russian colleagues of Johnson, Sergei Lavrov. While The Sunday Times wrote that the agreement the British side for the visit to Russia does not mean returning to the relationship that existed between the countries previously.
It was assumed that, among other things, during the negotiations the Ministers will discuss the situation in Syria and Ukraine. Johnson informed rather sharply expressed in relation to Russia, he criticized the ongoing Moscow’s policy on Syria and urged the international community to tighten pressure on the Russian authorities. In February, the Minister is also opposed to the easing of the imposed sanctions on Russia. Further, the demonization of Russia at the meeting with the us congressmen he called “stupid.”
The last time the British foreign Secretary visited Russia with working visit in may 2012. It was William Hague, who held the post of Minister of foreign Affairs of the Kingdom from 2010 to 2014. The previous British foreign Minister Philip Hammond said Russia did not come.
