84 weeks have passed since the death of Nikolay Glushkov on British soil - no credible information or response from the British authorities
The Russian citizen Nikolay Glushkov was found dead under mysterious circumstances at his London house, on 12 March 2018. The Russian Embassy learned about the suspected murder of the Russian national through the media, rather than from British police, which would be the norm.
Russia has repeatedly asked for, and been denied, access to join the British investigation into Nikolay Glushkov’s death. All the following documents from the Russian side have been left unanswered:
- An official request by the Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation for legal assistance in the criminal case on the fact of murder of the Russian national Mr Nikolay Glushkov forwarded in conformity with the 1959 European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters;
- Ambassador Alexander Yakovenko’s letter of 9 April 2018 to Metropolitan Police Commissioner Ms Cressida Dick with the proposal to meet in order to discuss ongoing investigation of Mr Nikolay Glushkov’s death;
- Embassy’s proposal to arrange consultations between officers of the Investigative Committee, Prosecutor General’s Office of the Russian Federation and the Metropolitan Police.
Thus, the United Kingdom violates the established norms of diplomatic intercourse as well as international law, including the 1959 European Convention on Mutual Legal Assistance in Criminal Matters.
Question: With India and Russia set to resume high-level engagements after the Covid-19 crisis, what will be priorities for bilateral agenda in 2021?
Sergey Lavrov: Russia is satisfied with the vigorous political dialogue with India on all levels that keeps on actively developing despite serious restrictions caused by the coronavirus pandemic. In 2020 we managed to successfully organize several events in face-to-face and online formats. Summits of the SCO and BRICS – a new type of multilateral associations where our countries cooperate fruitfully – are among them.
Vyacheslav Nikonov: The word “war” has been heard increasingly more often lately. US and NATO politicians, even more so the Ukrainian military, have no trouble saying it. Do you have more reasons to be concerned now than ever before?
Sergey Lavrov: Yes and no. On the one hand, the confrontation has hit bottom. On the other, deep down, there’s still hope that we are adults and understand the risks associated with escalating tensions further. However, our Western colleagues introduced the word “war” into the diplomatic and international usage. “The hybrid war unleashed by Russia” is a very popular description of what the West perceives as the main event in international life. I still believe that good judgment will prevail.
Russian Ambassador to the United States Anatoly Antonov has been summoned to Moscow for consultations in order to analyse what needs to be done in the context of relations with the United States.
The 100th anniversary of the first Soviet-British trade agreement is a memorable date. Its conclusion marked a milestone in the rich history of the Russian-British bilateral relations. This centenary is also a good reason for all of us to take a positive look at the prospects of our bilateral ties, based on the existing experience.
I would like to read the Foreign Ministry’s statement on the 10th anniversary of the start of anti-government demonstrations in Syria. This document will be published on the Foreign Ministry website.
On March 15, it will be ten years since the beginning of civil disorder in the Syrian Arab Republic. Due to outside interference, the domestic political process rapidly turned into an armed conflict, in which illegal armed groups moved to the fore. The country was subjected to unprecedented aggression by international terrorism.
The Ministers of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Republic of Turkey, and Russian Federation had a meeting on 11 March 2021 in Doha to discuss the Syrian crisis and ways of cooperation with the aim of contributing to a lasting political solution.
The Ministers:
Ladies and gentlemen,
We held a lengthy and trustworthy conversation with Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. We also had talks with my friend and colleague Abdullah bin Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the UAE. They were very useful.
We are disappointed by the February 22 decision of the EU Foreign Affairs Council to impose new illegal, unilateral and unsubstantiated restrictive measures on Russian citizens. The European Union has missed an opportunity to rethink its policy of artificial linkages, sanctions and pressure in its relations with Russia, a policy that has proved to be completely ineffective over the past few years. Instead, guided by its bloc discipline and anti-Russia stereotypes, Brussels has instinctively pressed the ineffective sanctions button. Moreover, contrary to all logic, the EU first adopted a political decision, and plans to choose the candidates for the sanctions later on.
This year marks the centenary of the first Russian-British trade agreement. We are delighted to invite you to participate in the online-conference organized by the Embassy and Trade delegation of Russia in the UK on March 16, 2021 at 12:00 p.m. (UK time).
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