SPEECHES, INTERVIEWS, ARTICLES
Pages: ««« :: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 :: »»»
Ahead of their talks, President of Russia Vladimir Putin and President of France Emmanuel Macron made press statements and answered media questions. The meeting continued behind closed doors.
On February 1, 2019, the United States of America launched a procedure to withdraw from the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles. The six-month period set forth in the Treaty’s withdrawal clause has expired. When one of the parties withdraws from the Treaty, it ceases to have effect automatically. Therefore, as of August 2, 2019 the INF Treaty no longer exists. Our US colleagues sent it to the archives, making it a thing of the past.
It is with regret that Russia states that the unilateral withdrawal by the United States from the Treaty on the Elimination of Intermediate-Range and Shorter-Range Missiles under a far-fetched pretext and the dismantlement of one of the last fundamental arms control treaties creates major complications for world affairs and brings about serious risks for everyone.
On August 2, six months after Washington initiated the withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty signed by the USSR and the US in 1987, the treaty has been terminated for all parties: the US, Russia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Ukraine.
This means that a key treaty for establishing the regional and global security architecture no longer exists. Under the INF Treaty, the parties eliminated two classes of nuclear armaments: land-based intermediate-range and shorter range missiles. The missile launchers and all the associated support facilities and equipment were also destroyed.
The 5th Russian-British Business Forum is due to take place on 27 November 2019 at the Queen Elizabeth II Conference Centre in London.
Question: Mr Lavrov, thank you for the opportunity to speak with you. Cuba has long been considered a closed-off country, but, for Russia, it opened before and is opening now unlike for any other country. However, the Spanish-language RT channel is part of an open network in many Latin American countries, but not in the friendly nation of Cuba. How important is media presence on the island for Russia? What can be done in this regard?
Sergey Lavrov: I wouldn’t say that Cuba was a closed-off country. Europeans and Canadians have long enjoyed vacationing in Cuba and continue to do so. Americans have visited Cuba and, similar to many Russians, enjoyed vacationing there until completely unreasonable bans were introduced.
Vladimir Putin answered questions from American film director, screenwriter and producer Oliver Stone. The interview was recorded on June 19, 2019 in the Kremlin.
Oliver Stone: So, I interviewed Mr Medvedchuk. It was in Monte Carlo. He gave us a very interesting interview. He gave us his view of the Ukraine. I gather that you’re close with him.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin: I would not say that we are very close but we know each other well. He was President Kuchma’s Chief of Staff, and it was in this capacity at the time that he asked me to take part in the christening of his daughter. According to Russian Orthodox tradition, you can't refuse such a request.
In recent years, every now and again, we come across reports on the alleged use of chemical weapons in Syria. And as time goes by, a peculiar pattern has emerged. All these reports resurface against the backdrop of victories held by government forces, as they drive terrorist groups and their accomplices out of occupied land. It is then, as if by a magic spell, that the media are swarmed with reports on chemical attacks in Syria. News channels of international media, without any let-up, show footage with people in white helmets providing first aid to the people allegedly exposed to toxic chemicals.
Ahead of the official visit to Italy, Vladimir Putin gave an interview to a leading Italian daily Corriere della Sera.
On the eve of the G20 summit, Vladimir Putin spoke with the Financial Times Editor Lionel Barber and Moscow Bureau Chief Henry Foy.
I feel compelled to comment on IISS strategic comment “Russia and the Western Balkans” (17 June), edited by Benjamin Rhode, which alleges that “Russia’s stated policy aim is to prevent the integration of the Western Balkans into the EU”. This presumption reflects a biased and politicized approach to assessing the role of Russia in the region. The IISS has chosen to ignore the fact that Russia has never spoken out, or acted, against the accession of the Balkan States to the EU. What we always emphasise is that those countries must decide for themselves how far the prerequisites required for joining the EU meet their national interests.
The Russian position on that issue, in general, is based on the fact that European integration has not become a panacea for all woes and it could never be. We have some questions regarding certain methods used by Brussels when implementing its strategy in the Balkans. One such question that in many respects remains open is whether the course for European integration pursued by regional States is in harmony with their interests of cooperating with non-EU countries. It is essential for us that the accession of the Balkan States to the EU does not create new dividing lines in Europe. Western Balkan nations must not be forced to confront an artificial choice between the European Union and Russia.
Pages: ««« :: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 :: »»»
| 
