TOKYO, March 21. /TASS/. The Russian foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov does not doubt that the UK knowingly took a course on undermining relations with Russia. He stated this on Wednesday after talks with his Japanese counterpart Taro Kono.
“There is no doubt that the current British government deliberately took the course at undermining Russian-British relations,” he said.
The Minister stated that if this course will continue in the form of new anti-Russian actions, Moscow will apply the principle of reciprocity.
While Lavrov expressed hope that Tokyo is in contact with London will help to clarify the whereabouts of the former GRU officer Sergei Skripal and his daughter, as well as issues related to the investigation of the incident.
“I hoped that our Japanese friends in future contacts with the UK I will try to explain at least two facts: where are Mr. Skripal and his daughter and why the investigation will take months, and the verdict of the British government has already issued,” – said the Russian Minister.
He added that Moscow will demand from British colleagues clarification of the facts of the case, however, that attempts of the Russian Federation in vain. “Mr. Kono said in this story is the most important explanation of the facts, we’re 100% agreed, – said Lavrov. – Confirmed that Russia is not only ready to cooperate in this matter.”
Russia insists on joint work with the UK in accordance with the Convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons (CWC).
“Insist on full cooperation in accordance with the provisions of the Convention on the prohibition of chemical weapons, the Minister stressed. – Most importantly, that it agreed to the British side”.
“The issues that we have [in the case Skripal], absolutely professional, clear and extremely specific, they have no lyrics, which is accompanied by the position of the British government,” – said Lavrov.
The Minister also noted the importance of keeping this matter of peace and called for the official London. At the same time Lavrov appeared that the British authorities were quick to bring charges before the investigation was completed. “So the Anglo-Saxon system of law updated with a new very interesting precedent,” said the Russian foreign Minister.
Unfounded accusations
The Western countries understand that the accusations of Moscow in the case Skripal have no reason, but are forced to Express the feelings of wrongly understood solidarity, said Sergey Lavrov
“I think all understand that, but out of a sense of wrongly understood solidarity forced to squeeze out some words that can be somehow interpreted in support of the position of London,” said the Minister.
“What we are now witnessing is a frantic throwing around the globe, persuasion partners to associate itself with Britain in this matter without presenting any facts,” – said the Russian Minister.
Case Skripal
Skripal and his daughter had been March 4 of exposure to nerve agents. They were found unconscious in Salisbury. Both are now in hospital in critical condition. From contact with a substance also injured a police officer, who was one of the first arrived on the scene and is now in serious condition in the hospital.
The British authorities accused Russia of involvement in the poisoning, but any evidence was not presented. Russia charges Britain categorically rejects. The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom Theresa may announced on 23 expulsion of Russian diplomats and the suspension of bilateral contacts at a high level. On Saturday, the Russian foreign Ministry said that Russia in response was declared persona non grata and will be deported within a week 23 a British diplomat, close the Consulate General of Bulgaria in Saint-Petersburg and will cease the activity of the British Council in Russia.
