Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a press conference following a meeting of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth of Independent States in Minsk. Photo: Vyacheslav Prokofiev/TASS
To summarize the results of the first three months of the Russian presidency in the CIS and discuss the most important issues, the Foreign Ministers of the Commonwealth countries met in Minsk. In response to a question from KP.RU, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov compared their current state with the good relations between the spouses after separation. And when explaining whether it is possible to combine the discussion on the “Zelensky peace formula” and China’s proposals to resolve the Ukrainian conflict at the Swiss summit, he said: it is impossible “to put a hedgehog and a deer in the same harness.” trembling.” .”
About fifteen years ago, politicians said the Commonwealth of Independent States was created for “civilized divorce.” In Minsk I asked Sergei Lavrov: how can you now characterize the CIS?
– If we take this picture, then it often happens in life: when people part, they begin to feel more the value of mutual connections. And also, perhaps, they understand more clearly than in marriage the need for mutual support. It seems to me that we are now seeing a situation in which spouses maintain good relations after separation, something similar,” the minister responded.
According to Lavrov, today almost all CIS countries talk about the importance of the Commonwealth. “This emphasizes a new character, a new level, a new quality of our relationships. No longer in a single state, but within the Commonwealth. This word is not an empty phrase. “It truly reflects the essence of our partnership.”
Photo: Vladislav VOROBYEV
– The period of illusions that initially existed after the collapse of the USSR in the CIS countries has passed. The reality turned out to be different… Life itself dictated to us the need for close consolidation,” added the Secretary General of the Commonwealth, Sergei Lebedev.
150 POINTS PLAN
In preparation for its CIS presidency, Russia has prepared a large-scale plan. It consists of 150 points.
“About 60 events of various types at high and expert level have already been held, including those not initially provided for in the plan,” said Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova when announcing the Council of Ministers of Foreign Affairs. Commonwealth Foreign Affairs (CMFA). – Of course, trade and economic interaction is the cornerstone of multilateral cooperation within the Commonwealth. Largely thanks to him, the CIS participants manage to minimize the negative consequences of the West’s illegitimate unilateral restrictive measures”…
The CIS Council of Foreign Ministers traditionally began with joint photographs. The ministers came out and stood decorously in line in front of the cameras. The pause was prolonged. “Sergey Fedorovich, finish this,” Lavrov jokingly asked Aleynik. The Belarusian minister laughed. And everyone immediately entered the room where the negotiations began. First in a reduced composition.” Ministers observed a minute’s silence in memory of the victims of the terrorist attack in Crocus. They then continued with an expanded composition.
THE ARMENIAN MINISTER DID NOT ARRIVE
This time in Minsk the Armenian delegation managed to attract maximum attention. Many were interested in the question: will Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan arrive?
Belarusian diplomats clarified the situation the day before: “We expect the participation of eight delegations from foreign affairs agencies, not counting Belarus. They will be headed mainly by ministers, but there will also be delegations at the level of authorized deputy ministers. Among them is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia.”
The Armenian authorities do not explain the reasons that forced Mirzoyan to refuse to participate in the Council. But there is no big secret here. On April 10, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said: “Relations between Armenia and Russia are going through difficult times.” True, he added, “it is difficult to overestimate its importance.” And yet Mirzoyan was not in Minsk.
“SWISS FORMULA” FAILURE
Journalists asked Sergei Lavrov to comment on the British authorities’ appeal to their citizens to refrain from traveling to Belarus. The British embassy in Minsk issued the recommendation on Thursday, explaining: “There is some risk that the direct conflict related to Ukraine could spread to Belarus.”
“They are afraid that His Majesty’s subjects will see how Belarus really lives. What beautiful people Belarusians are. And when they see this, they will understand the falsehood of Western propaganda,” Lavrov said.
Our minister figuratively answered the question of whether it is possible to discuss the “Zelensky formula” and the Chinese peace initiative on the same platform, for example, in June in Switzerland. “I don’t see how you can put a hedgehog and a trembling doe together in one harness,” Lavrov said, emphasizing once again: the plan of the Ukrainians and their allies for the meeting in Switzerland is to attract as many countries as possible. The ultimatum to the Russian Federation. The Chinese approach is to understand the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine and take into account all Russian interests.
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