Russia Celebrates Diplomatic Worker’s Day - Lavrov Answers Questions About the Difficult Profession
On Saturday Russia celebrated the Diplomatic Worker's Day. Congratulations to all who have chosen this really difficult, and often dangerous service. On the occasion of the holiday, the program "Actors with Nailya Asker-Zade" featuring Sergei Lavrov as the main character will be on Russia 1 TV channel today. It is a rare chance to talk to the head of Russian diplomacy in a calm atmosphere not only about big politics.
- Maybe, we also should move from words to deeds and, for example, recognize the DPR and the LPR?
Sergey Lavrov: Unlike some of our international colleagues, we are still people of our word, and this word, especially when it is the subject of negotiations, and when it is approved by the Security Council, we always keep it and fulfill. Nobody canceled the Minsk agreements. And I think that the one who makes the first step breaking them will make a colossal mistake. Actually, the Kiev authorities are one step from this mistake if they adopt the integration law that has passed the second reading. We'll see. I think the West is growing more and more convinced that it is necessary to bring president Poroshenko to his senses and those who are governing Ukraine with him both regarding the provocative reintegration law, the bill so far. Europe is very wary of the processes that are taking place in Ukraine, especially regarding the sharp rise of the radicals and Neo-Nazis.
- When talking to your Ukrainian counterpart during rare telephone conversations, meetings, which language do you speak?
- Russian.
- As well as your counterpart?
- Yes. He comes from Kursk.