Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated his intention to discuss the Alexey Navalny case with the Swedish Foreign Minister, current OSCE Chairwoman Ann Linde in an open and honest manner.
“We would like to discuss all these issues in an honest and open manner, without any prejudice because, as neighbors, we must be interested in normal, good relations, of course. Even more so considering that it is essential for people of our countries, especially those living near the border,” Lavrov said, opening the negotiations with his Swedish counterpart.
“There has been no response to our request regarding how and on what basis did the Swedish military laboratory made its conclusion that Mr. Navalny was poisoned by the so-called Novichok family nerve agent. This does not fit in the requirements of transparency in this and every other issue, which our German and other colleagues put forth,” the minister said.
Lavrov pointed out that the Western colleagues “do not want to be transparent themselves in regards to conclusions they use in order to promote the anti-Russian position.”
On January 18, Lavrov stated that remarks of the Western politicians regarding Navalny’s return to Russia seek “to draw away attention from the deep crisis” that their countries have found themselves in, adding that the Western commentaries are “carbon copies” of each other.
