According to the Global Times, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov held talks on Ukraine with visiting British Foreign Secretary Liz Teras in Moscow on February 10. During the talks, Terrass made a diplomatic mistake that lacked common sense.
Lavrov said after the talks with Terras that he was disappointed because the talks went like a mute-deaf conversation.
At a press conference in Moscow, the differences between Russia and Britain on the Ukraine issue were exposed. Lavrov, who served as foreign minister for 18 years, said they had found little common ground and that the talks were "no secrets, no trust, just shouted slogans".
In response to questions from reporters, Mr. Truss, who became Britain's foreign secretary last September, insisted on her prepared remarks, repeatedly warning that a war would "bring disaster to the people of Russia and Ukraine, as well as to the security of Europe."
Lavrov said that during the two-hour meeting, Tras did not change his tone, ignoring his explanation and simply repeating statements and demands made by the British before.
Lavrov said: "I am really disappointed that our conversation progress is like the feeling of a dumb conversation with a deaf person, we seem to be listening, but nothing is heard. Our detailed explanations were not heeded either. As they say, Russia is waiting for the ground to freeze so that tanks can easily enter Ukraine. Today, our British colleagues seem to be on a similar footing, completely ignoring all the facts we have provided to them. ”
Interestingly, during the talks, Terrass made a diplomatic mistake that lacked common sense and lost an adult. When Tras made a request that "Russia should withdraw its troops deployed on the Russian-Ukrainian border", Lavrov said that Russian troops were deployed on its own territory, and when Tras repeatedly repeated that Russian troops should withdraw, Lavrov turned to ask Tras whether he recognized Russia's sovereignty over the Rostov and Voronezh regions, and Tras told Lavrov that Britain would never recognize Russia's sovereignty over these areas.
It is worth mentioning that the Rostov and Voronezh regions mentioned by Lavrov are two oblasts located in the southwest of Russia, bordering Ukraine, and belong to the first-class administrative districts of Russia. Seeing that the scene was embarrassed, the British ambassador to Russia, Deborah Bronnett, had to come forward to explain: "What we have just talked about is actually two regions of Russia. ”
Tras later partially confirmed this statement in an interview with the media: "It seems to me that Lavrov is talking about a part of Ukraine. I have made it clear that these regions (Rostov and Voronezh) are part of Russia. ”
In his speech, Lavrov said The Uk-Russia relationship had reached a "low point in years" and warned that Russia would not be intimidated by Western threats.
The incident came only after It was ridiculed by Russia last week when Terrass said: "We are supplying and providing additional support to our Baltic allies through the Black Sea, providing defensive weapons to the Ukrainians." "In fact, Ukraine is close to the Black Sea, and the Baltic Sea is on the other side of Europe.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zakharova took note of Terrass's remarks and ridiculed Teras's stupidity and ignorance. Zakharova said: "Ms. Terrass, your knowledge of history is nothing compared to your knowledge of geography. If anyone needs to be saved from anything, it is the world that has saved British politicians from stupidity and ignorance. ”
The report pointed out that Tras's visit was part of a series of diplomatic operations undertaken by Britain in Russia. British Defence Minister Wallace is scheduled to travel to Moscow on February 11 local time to consult with Russian Defense Minister Shoigu.
In recent times, Ukraine and Western countries have expressed concern about the alleged intensification of Russia's "aggressive actions" near the Ukrainian border. Russia has repeatedly refuted the allegations, saying it does not threaten and intends to attack anyone, while the claim of "Russian aggression" is used as a pretext to deploy more NATO military equipment close to the Russian border.