Guest
Briefing reporters in New York, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Wednesday morning (24 Jan) Ukraine conducted “a terrorist attack” on Russian transport aircraft IL-76, which was carrying 65 Ukrainian prisoners of war. Lavrov continued, “they were accompanied by three Russian officers and the crew of six people. All of them died. The Ukrainian prisoners of war were transported to the Belgorod region in order to conduct yet another swap that was agreed between Moscow and Kyiv.” In this regard, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for an emergency UN Security Council meeting. Asked about Israel and Palestine's two-state solution, Lavrov said, “it seems absolutely necessary to make an effort to rebuild the Palestinian unity for all Palestinian fractions and all those working with them from abroad to get together and to announce reconstruction of the Palestinian unity as an important foundation for the future Palestinian state.” He also noted, “In any case, the settlement is possible only through the process of negotiations. We expect that those who have an influence on the Israeli side, more influence than we have, for example, they will deliver on their function and insurance participation of Israel in good faith in the negotiation process.” Answering a question about the DPRK, he said, “our relationship with the DPRK is proceeding nicely.” The Foreign Minister added, “It's developing quite actively, we see that the DPRK is trying to be independent, not to dance on anybody's tune. And we also see the US bringing together a new military block together with Japan and South Korea. They are cobbling together this block, and that block is building up military activity, it's conducting large scale exercises and the objective is clearly stated. They're preparing for war with the DPRK.” Lavrov also mentioned, “I also heard Biden saying something similar warning that if Ukraine loses the war, then Russia will march on the Baltic states, on Finland and other NATO members. Such statements were also made by lower level leaders, not just by US leaders. I'm inclined to believe in the reasonableness of the US leadership.” He continued, “So I see this as an attempt to achieve short term objectives that is dispersing funds to Ukraine. They think that they can instill fear in the Congress with these fairy tales, with these concoctions. They hope that this will prompt Congress to compromise and give USD 60 billion to Ukraine as part of an aid package with some money going to Israel. Some money to set up equipment around the border.” Lavrov concluded, “I don't know, I think the people actually making these pronouncements. They understand themselves these are … well… How should I put it that it's? Hogwash.”
