Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, March 30, 2017

30 March 201716:46

Briefing by Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Maria Zakharova, Moscow, March 30, 2017

634-30-03-2017

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s talks with the Foreign Minister of Kyrgyzstan Erlan Abdyldaev

On April 2-4, Foreign Minister of the Republic of Kyrgyzstan Erlan Abdyldaev will be in Moscow on a working visit, at the invitation of Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

The ministers will exchange opinions on key issues of political, economic, military and humanitarian cooperation, including within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, and will discuss cooperation at the international stage, including at the CSTO, the CIS, the SCO, the UN and the OSCE. They will focus on regional security issues.

The Russian and Kyrgyz ministers will review their countries’ efforts to implement the agreements that were reached during the official visit by President of Russia Vladimir Putin to the Republic of Kyrgyzstan on February 28. These agreements provide for strengthening bilateral relations through an intensive political dialogue, which is evidence of the high standards of allied relations and strategic partnership between Russia and Kyrgyzstan.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s participation in a meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council

On April 7, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will participate in the meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council in Tashkent.

Russia holds the rotating presidency of the Commonwealth of Independent States this year. On September 9, 2016, President Vladimir Putin approved the concept of Russia’s CIS presidency and an action plan for its implementation. These documents cover all aspects of the multifaceted cooperation within the CIS. The CIS ministerial meeting in Tashkent is one of the key meetings of the high CIS agencies planned for 2017. These events also include a meeting of the CIS Heads of Government Council in Kazan on May 26, and a meeting of the CIS Heads of State Council in Moscow on September 11.

The CIS is playing a crucial unifying role. Russia’s Foreign Policy Concept, which President Putin approved on November 30, 2016, prioritises the development of bilateral and multilateral cooperation with the CIS countries and the strengthening of the CIS integration organisations, in which Russia is involved.

This explains the packed agenda of the upcoming meeting. The ministers will discuss a broad range of issues pertaining to the development of international cooperation and the coordination of foreign policy issues between the CIS countries. They will also exchange opinions on key foreign policy issues.

The upcoming meeting of the CIS Foreign Ministers Council will focus on the adoption of a joint statement condemning religious intolerance and the discrimination of Christians, Muslims and members of other religions. They will also review the interim results of their countries’ efforts to implement the decision on adjusting the CIS to modern realities, which was made by the CIS Heads of State Council on September 16, 2016. This decision includes a set of measures to strengthen the CIS status, enhance the efficiency of its agencies and optimise the CIS budgetary expenditures. The ministers will also discuss cooperation between their law enforcement and humanitarian organisations.

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to participate in the 25^th Anniversary Assembly of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy

The 25^th anniversary assembly of the Council on Foreign and Defence Policy will take place on April 8–9. The Council is turning 25 years, and its Russia in Global Politics magazine is turning 15. The council members, representatives of academic circles and leading think tanks, will discuss new global factors and trends as part of the Assembly's main theme, “International Politics. System Change.”

By tradition, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will take part in the Assembly on April 8 and share his assessments of global political developments, talk about the priorities in the work of Russian diplomats and our approaches to key issues on the international agenda, as well as the Foreign Ministry’s vision and assessments.

The Foreign Ministry highly values long-term productive cooperation with the Council, which, alongside other international NGOs, is providing effective expert support to Russia’s foreign policy, prepares analytical materials upon the Foreign Ministry’s requests and develops practical recommendations. The Council places high emphasis on developing breakthrough ideas and proposals, many of which materialise into actual projects. The Council on Foreign and Defence Policy is a strong brand.

Holding regional consultations on Afghanistan in Moscow

We have already commented on this issue when we answered your questions. Today, I would like to talk about it in more detail.

Another round of regional consultations on Afghan issues will take place in Moscow on April 14. The talks will focus on security in Afghanistan and its prospects. In our opinion, the main goal of the consultations is to develop a single regional approach with regard to further promotion of the national reconciliation process in that country, while maintaining Kabul's leading role and complying with the earlier reviewed and approved principles on the integration of the armed opposition into peaceful life.

Invitations to participate in consultations were extended to Afghanistan, Central Asian countries, China, India, Iran, Pakistan and the United States. I would like to say that Washington and US officials expressed their interest in attending this event and participating in the international discussion on this subject. We sent them an invitation. Most of the countries have already confirmed their participation. We expect some of our Central Asian partners to provide a response soon. We consider the participation of the Central Asian states important. An agreement on this was reached during the previous meeting of the Moscow format on February 15. Thus, all the neighbours of Afghanistan and the key states of the region will be represented at the upcoming talks. We regret Washington's refusal to take part in the consultations. The United States is an important player in the Afghan settlement, so it joining the peacekeeping efforts of the countries of the region would help to reinforce the message to the Afghan armed opposition regarding the need to stop armed resistance and to start talks.

Current events in Ukraine

We are alarmed by the deteriorating situation in southeastern Ukraine. According to SMM OSCE reports, observers registered 500 to 5,000 ceasefire violations a day in March.

F. William Engdahl -- Strategic China Russia Arctic Cooperation

21.03.2017 Author: F. William Engdahl

Strategic China Russia Arctic Cooperation

Column: Economics

Region: Russia in the World

Cooperation in building modern railway links, deep water ports and mining infrastructure in Russia’s Arctic and Murmansk Peninsula in the far north is becoming a strategic new element binding China and Russia. Its implications are worth a closer look.

On March 29 a high-level delegation from the Chinese Government and private companies will meet with their Russian government counterparts in the ancient seacoast city of Arkhangelsk on the White Sea at the mouth of the Northern Dvina River. The city is strategic as it is now navigable by ship year-around owing to technology improvements in Russian icebreakers. The occasion of the March 29 gathering is the fourth meeting of The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue forum since its creation by Russia in 2010. Among the agenda topics will be China-Russia cooperation in development of projects including the Belkomur railway and the Arkhangelsk deepwater port.

China’s delegation, seventy participants, will be headed by Vice Premier of the State Council Wang Yang, a Politburo member and leading Chinese political figure. Russia’s delegation will be led by Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin. Rogozin is not only head of Russia’s Arctic Commission. For the past six years he has held the key post as Deputy Prime Minister responsible for the Russian defense and space industry. He is directly in charge of the Russian Foundation for Advanced Research Projects in the Defense Industry, Russia’s version of the US Pentagon DARPA.

Arctic Link to One Belt, One Road?

THIERRY MEYSSAN -- Destroy Daesh?

Destroy Daesh?

by Thierry Meyssan

While Washington multiplies the signals confirming its intention to destroy Daesh, the British and the French, followed by the rest of the Europeans, are contemplating going their own way. London and Paris may have coordinated the attacks on Damascus and Hama in order to force the Syrian Arab Army to move out to defend them, and consequently, to weaken their presence around Rakka. The Europeans are hoping to organise the flight of the jihadists towards the Turkish frontier.

VOLTAIRE NETWORK | MEXICO CITY (MEXICO) | 29 MARCH 2017 

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The meeting of the anti-Daesh Coalition in Washington, on 22-23 March, went very badly. Although in appearance, the 68 members reasserted their will to fight this organisation, in reality, they only displayed their differences.

US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson reminded the Congress of President Trump’s commitment to destroy Daesh, and no longer simply to reduce it, as the Obama administration had stated. By doing so, he placed the members of the Coalition before the fait accompli – without discussion.

First problem – how can the Europeans in general, and the British in particular, save their own jihadists, if it’s no longer a question of displacing them, but eliminating them.

Rex Tillerson and the Iraqi Prime Minister, Haïder al-Abadi, gave a report on the battle of Mosul. Despite their evident satisfaction, it is clear for all military experts that the battle will not be over for several long months. Because in Mosul, almost every family has one of its members engaged in Daesh.

On the military level, the situation in Rakka is much more simple. The jihadists there are foreigners, so it is enough to cut their supply lines and then separate them from the Syrian population.

Second problem – the US army must first obtain the autorisation from Congress, then from Damascus, in order to deploy in Syrian territory. Generals James Mattis (Secretary for Defense) and John Dunford (Joint Chief of Staff) have attempted to convince the parliamentaries, but they may not prevail. In that case, they will have to negotiate with Damascus and clarify everything that needs to be clarified.

When asked by the Europeans what Washington intends to do with liberated Rakka, Rex Tillerson gave this strange answer – that he would bring back the population that had been displaced or had left seeking refuge. The Europeans therefore concluded that since this population is massively favourable to Damascus, Washington intends to give back the territory to the Syrian Arab Republic.

The Portuguese Minister for Foreign Affairs des Affaires, Augusto Santos Silva, then spoke to make the point that this proposition went against everything that had been decided previously. The Europeans have the moral duty, he stressed, to pursue their efforts to protect the refugees who had fled the «bloody dictatorship». Even if it were liberated, Rakka would not be in a safe zone, since the Syrian Arab Army would be worse than Daesh.

PT - O Ministro Português dos Negócios Estrangeiros, Augusto Santos Silva, disse, então  que,  dar importância a esta proposta ia contra tudo que tinha sido decidido previamente. Os europeus tinham o dever moral, salientou, de continuar com os seus esforços de proteger os refugiados que tinham fugido da "ditadura sangrenta". Rakka, mesmo que fosse libertada não seria uma zona segura, pois que o Exército Sírio Árabe seria pior que o Daesh.

The choice by the Europeans to entrust Portugal with this intervention is not impartial. The Portuguese ex-Prime Minister, of whom Santos Silva was a minister, António Guterres, is the ex-High Commissioner for the Refugees and the current Secretary General of the UNO. He had also been the President of the Socialist International, an organisation entirely under the control of Hillary Clinton and Madeleine Albright. In short, he is today Jeffrey Feltman’s umbrella at the UNO and also that of the warmongering clan.

PT - A escolha dos europeus de confiar esta intervenção a Portugal não é imparcial. António Guterres, o antigo Primeiro Ministro português, de quem Santos Silva foi ministro, é o anterior Alto Comissário para os Refugiados e actual Secretário Geral da ONU. Também foi Presidente do Partido Socialista Internacional, uma organização completamente sob o controlo de Hillary Clinton e Madeleine Albright. Em resumo, hoje ele faz parte da organização de Jeffrey Feltman, na ONU, e também da facção militarista.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview to the National Interest Magazine March 29, 2017

4139 ViewsMarch 29, 2017 20 Comments

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with the National Interest Magazine, published on March 29, 2017

http://www.mid.ru/en/foreign_policy/news/-/asset_publisher/cKNonkJE02Bw/content/id/2710445

Question: I’d like to start by asking you about your forthcoming meeting with US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson, we’ve read in the press that the two of you may be meeting soon.

Sergey Lavrov: So they say.

Question: Could you perhaps tell us about your expectations and goals in dealing with Secretary Tillerson?

Sergey Lavrov: Well, after the American election, soon after Election Day President Putin and President-elect Trump talked over the phone. It was a good but very general discussion touching upon the key issues in our relations, and of course the key international issues. And they agreed that they would continue being in touch and after the inauguration they talked again, and they reconfirmed the need to look for ways which would be effective in handling international problems. And of course to see what could be done to bring the bilateral relations to normalcy. They also agreed that Mr. Rex Tillerson and I would look into the agenda in some more details, and would also discuss the preparation for the presidential meeting which should take place when both countries, both leaders feel comfortable.

And we met with Rex in mid-February in Bonn on the margins of the G-20 ministerial meeting, and covered quite a lot of the bilateral agenda. I briefed him about the relationship on bilateral issues with the Obama administration, the problems which accumulated during that period. We did not go into the substance of this, I just briefed him so that his team, which is still being assembled, could take a look at these issues and determine what kind of attitude they would have on them. And we discussed Syria, Iran, the Korean Peninsula, the Middle East in general, relations between Russia and the West, it was a very general, but rather substantive discussion, obviously it was the first contact and Mr.Rex Tillerson is just getting into the shoes of his new capacity. We discussed the possibility of personal meeting and have been continuing these discussions. As soon as we finalize them it will be announced.

But my feeling is that from the point of view of personal relationship, we feel quite comfortable. I feel quite comfortable, I believe Rex had the same feeling, and our assistants should work closer but of course this could only be done when the team in the State Department is complete.

Question: Of course. If I could follow up on your answer there, you mentioned bringing normalcy to the U.S.-Russia relationship. What do you think “normal” is?

Sergey Lavrov: “Normal” is to treat your partners with respect, not to try to impose some of your ideas on others without taking into account their own views and their concerns, always to try to listen and to hear, and hopefully not to rely on a superiority complex, which was obviously the case with the Obama administration. They were obsessed with their exceptionality, with their leadership. Actually the founding fathers of the United States, they also spoke of their leadership, and they believed that the American nation was exceptional, but they wanted others just to take the American experience as an example and to follow suit. They never suggested that the United States should impose, including by force, its values on others.

And the Obama administration was clearly different. Actually, long before Ukraine, long before Crimea, in early December 2012, there was an OSCE ministerial meeting in Dublin. And Hillary Clinton was Secretary of State and was the head of the delegation, we had a bilateral meeting with her, she was trying to persuade me on something which was a difficult issue on the agenda, but I recall this situation because in the margins of this ministerial meeting she attended a meeting in the University of Dublin, and she delivered a lecture in which she said something like: “We are trying to figure out effective ways to slow down or prevent the move to re-Sovietize the former Soviet space.” December 2012.

What kind of action she was considering as the move to re-Sovietize the space, I really couldn’t understand. Yes, there were discussions about Ukraine, about Kazakhstan, Belarus and Russia, forming the Customs Union, and if this was the reason, then of course it showed very obviously the real attitude of the Obama administration to what was going on in the former Soviet space and the area of the Commonwealth of Independent States, its obvious desire to take over this geopolitical space around Russia without even caring what Moscow might think.

The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue international forum -- FULL TRANSCRIPT

The Arctic: Territory of  Dialogue international forum

Vladimir Putin is taking part in the fourth international forum The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue.

March 30, 2017

15:40

 

At the Arctic: Territory of Dialogue international forum.

The forum’s theme this year is People and the Arctic. The participants are discussing ways to improve the quality of life in the Arctic, maintain its unique environmental potential, boost sustainable socioeconomic development of the Arctic regions and strengthen international cooperation for these purposes.

 * * *

 <…>

President of Russia Vladimir Putin: Good afternoon, ladies and gentlemen, Mr Niinisto, Mr Johannesson,

I wholeheartedly welcome all of you to Russia, to Arkhangelsk.

It is the second time that Arkhangelsk is hosting The Arctic: Territory of Dialogue international forum. This is symbolic, because Arkhangelsk is closely connected with the events and individuals that have opened the polar latitudes to the world.

We will mark one of such “polar” events this year. I am referring to the 85th anniversary of the famous Otto Schmidt expedition, which for the first time covered the route from the port of Arkhangelsk to the Pacific Ocean within one navigation season, launching regular navigation along the coast of Siberia, the legendary Northern Sea Route.

The importance of the Arctic has increased manifold. The attention of many nations is focused on the Arctic as a region whose wellbeing determines the global climate, a treasure trove of unique nature and, of course, a region with a huge economic potential and opportunities.

Preserving the Arctic as a territory of constructive dialogue, development and equal cooperation is a matter of fundamental importance. This forum, whose theme this year is People and the Arctic, has a great role to play in this.

Putin Melts Arctic Forum Moderator: 'How Can You Even Talk About Human Rights?'

Putin just gave CNBC's Geoff Cutmore a thrashing at the International Arctic Forum in Arkhangelsk

bullshit glacier: melted

Russia's President just gave Arctic Forum Q&A moderator Geoff Cutmore an earful.

The CNBC journalist asked Putin about "political interference", human rights and the recent protests in Moscow. 

Putin was not impressed:

We keep talking about human rights. All the time we talk about human rights. And you just mentioned those protests in Moscow and other cities in Russia.

But remember: [The West] imposed sanctions on people who had nothing to do with Crimea. They were not even involved. They were not aware of the government’s plans. They found out about this from the media. And then, they imposed sanctions on those people. What about human rights? They seized their accounts, they can no longer use their money to take care of their families.

So: What are you even talking about? How can you talk about human rights? So you want to have human rights in some cases, and then you don’t want human rights for other people.

It doesn’t make any sense. It’s not fair. Unfortunately we see this degradation of international law in practice. We have to fix that. Can we do that? Yes, we can. So let’s work on it together.

Russian General: US Trying to Destroy Syria's Critical Infrastructure -- Transcript available.

Briefing by Chief of Main Operational Directorate Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy (March 28, 2017)

Briefing by Colonel General Sergei Rudskoy - EN

The ceasefire, which had been established on December 30, 2016, has been observed throughout Syria.The number of detachments of ‘moderate opposition’, which had claimed to observe the ceasefire regime, has reached 200.

Within the last month, ceasefire agreements have been signed with representatives of 116 inhabited areas.The total number of agreements has reached 1,397. In the meantime, the number of ceasefire violations is not decreasing. Moreover, there are cases of direct breakdown of the ceasefire regime.

Therefore, on the 21st of March, some ‘opposition groups’ tried to capture the city of Hama.A grouping consisting of over 10,000 insurgents from Jabhat al-Nusra and associated illegal armed groups was created in a district controlled by the ‘opposition’.

During the attack, terrorists used their numerical superiority and managed to capture several villages on the outskirts of the city of Hama and to get close to the city. Owing to the dedicated efforts of the government troops and the support of Russian Aerospace Forces, the military situation in this region was stabilized.

During the 4 days of intense battles, more than 2,100 insurgents, 55 armored vehicles, 22 VBIEDs and over 100 cars with heavy weapons were eliminated. Now the military operation aimed at liberation of the outskirts of the Hama city from insurgents continues and the Syrian troops have begun their counter-offense.

An intensive reconciliation process is observed in the suburbs of Damascus – the Eastern Ghouta. Representatives of local authorities and leaders of self-defense groups in the majority of inhabited areas of this region have signed ceasefire agreements. According to the signed pacts, the government troops will not enter these towns and villages. Nine humanitarian corridors have been arranged to provide free passage for local residents and maintain transport link with other regions of Syria.

Meanwhile, the military situation in city districts of Jobar and al-Qaboun, which are controlled by Jabhat An-Nusra groups, remains complicated. The mortar shelling of the Syrian capital including the Russian embassy is carried out from these districts. In order to eliminate this threat, the government troops conduct special military operation to dismember and annihilate insurgents’ forces.

In another suburb district of Damascus, the Eastern al-Qalamoun, the military situation is much better: the local opposition groups, which had signed ceasefire agreements, are willingly cooperating with the Syrian Army. During the joint offensive of the regular army and the opposition forces, ISIS insurgents were knocked out from the commanding heights in the vicinity of Damascus – Palmyra highway. As a result, the government troops managed to secure 15 kilometers of strategic highway, which was controlled by terrorists for 3 years.

A ceasefire agreement has been signed with the al-Vaer district of the Homs city.

The insurgents were suggested three possible options: first – strict ceasefire observation and renunciation to support terrorists; second – to lay down arms and to use the amnesty announced by the authorities of the country; third – to go to the area of Syria, which had not signed  a ceasefire agreement.

A number of members of illegal armed groups have chosen the third option.

The first stage of evacuation of members of illegal armed groups and their families took place on the 18th of March when 1,400 people including 344 insurgents and 1,056 members of their families had left al-Vaer. They all went to the city of Jerablus, on the territory controlled by pro-Turkish opposition. About 204 insurgents expressed their desire to take personal weapons with them, and this opportunity was given to them.

Upon the demand of field commanders, the servicemen of the Russian Centre for reconciliation and the military police battalion provided security during of these activities.

Yesterday the second stage of evacuation of members of illegal armed groups from al-Vaer was held. 644 insurgents and 1,247 members of their families left al-Vaer.

In addition, over six hundred members of illegal armed groups of al-Vaer returned to peaceful life, using the amnesty declared by the government of the Syrian Arab Republic.

The Russian Aerospace Forces continue supporting the Syrian army, which is fighting against the ISIS groupings. Developing the offensive in the north-east of the Aleppo province, the government troops and militia detachments have completely blocked a large terrorist grouping in the vicinity of the Deir Hafir town. The operation aimed at its elimination is underway.

Near Palmyra, the Syrian army supported by militia detachments continues expanding the security zone around the city. The advance of the government troops is the following: in the north-east direction – 16 km, in the east direction – up to 8 km; in the south-east direction – more than 12 km.

Since the beginning of March, 115 settlements and over 1,100 square kilometers of territory have been liberated from ISIS terrorists. We continue to monitor the international coalition actions in Iraq and Syria. It seems that the international coalition has set itself a goal to destroy the infrastructure of critical importance on the Syria territory having hampered post-war reconstruction of the country .The most alarming are the attacks realized by coalition aircraft on a dam on the Euphrates River to the west of Raqqa.

The latest such air raid took place on March 26. It resulted in damaging of two floodgates in the southern part of the dam designed to provide water discharge and non-admission of the reservoir overflow.These actions could lead to a large-scale environmental disaster, flooding of vast areas and numerous victims among the civilians.

Since yesterday, upon the initiative of the Syrian government, under the supervision of the director of the dam al-Tabqa the floodgates are being restored. The works must be completed by March 30.

In addition, on February 3, the coalition aviation destroyed four bridges: two in Raqqa and two in the inhabited areas of al-Kalta and al-Abbara. These attacks resulted in interruption of transport link between the northern and the southern parts of the city, which is inhabited by over 200 thousand people.

On February 18, the Muqla bridge in the vicinity of the Maadan city (60 kilometers to the east of of Raqqa) was totally destroyed.

Despite the coalition assurance concerning the total encirclement of Mosul, insurgents continue infiltration from the city to the Deir-ez-Zor zone, the garrison of which has been fighting in the encirclement for several years.

According to the available data, the last week alone at least 800 terrorists freely left Mosul for the Syrian border. Nearly every day the coalition makes strikes on the city quarters of Mosul inhabited by not only ISIS insurgents, but also dozens of thousands of civilians.

According to the estimations of international humanitarian organizations, over 250 thousand people have left the city. The refugee camps deployed in the vicinity of Mosul are overcrowded, the people are suffering from lack of food, drinking water and medicines.

It is to be reminded that in the course of the whole operation of liberation of Aleppo from insurgents the aviation was not used within a radius of 10 km from the city. Along with that, the civil population had a possibility to leave the territories controlled by terrorists through the organized humanitarian corridors.

The Russian Centre for reconciliation of the opposing sides continues rendering help to the civilians on the whole territory of Syria. Thus, in the Aleppo city, humanitarian actions are held every day. The civil population receives sets with food products and hot meal. Over 12,500 people have taken medical advice at the hospital of the Russian Defence Ministry deployed in the city.

Moreover, the liberation of the Hafsa inhabited area on the bank of the Assad water storage basin from ISIS terrorists has allowed to restore the delivery of drinking water to Aleppo.

The restoration of residential houses, schools, hospitals and other objects of social infrastructure is continued. Over 4,000 inhabitants returned home last month.

Yesterday the Russian Centre for reconciliation sent another convoy in Membidj in the north of the Aleppo province. The refugee camps located in the vicinity of the city have received about 17 tons of flour, sugar, rice, canned meat and fish. In the course of a humanitarian action, the Russian military physicians rendered medical help to 282 civilians.

The detachment of  the International mine Action Centre of the Russian Armed Forces of the Russian Federation continues mine clearance in Palmyra. Today, the Russian specialists have cleared from mines 18 social objects, 940 buildings and residential houses on the territory of over 445 hectares as well as 46 km of roads. The sappers have defused over 1,800 bombs and IEDs. During the complex sapper works and searching for booby traps, special robotic systems Uran-6 and mine detection dogs were used.

I would like to address to all the interested countries with an appeal to take part in the operation of mine clearance of monuments of world culture in Palmyra.

Transcript and srt. file available by courtesy of Roberto Petitpas.
In case someone wishes to translate it in other languages, please ask to
luisavasconcellos2012@gmail.com
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Ukraine 'Has No Choice but to Pay Back' Debt to Russia After UK Court's Ruling

© Sputnik/ Evgenia Novozhenina

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10:52 30.03.2017(updated 11:09 30.03.2017) Get short URL

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On Wednesday, the UK High Court in London ruled against holding a full trial on Ukraine’s $3 billion debt to Russia as Kiev had no justifiable defense for failing to pay it back.

© PHOTO: WIKIPEDIA/SJIONG

UK Court Decides Against Full Trial on Kiev's $3Bln Russia Debt, Upholds Quick Procedure

The Russian Foreign Ministry said that Moscow considers the ruling as "final and obligatory."

"After reviewing the Russian request for quick hearings of the Russian lawsuit, the High Court in London ruled that Ukraine must pay off the nominal sum of the Eurobonds in the amount of $3 billion, as well as the accumulated interest," the Ministry’s statement read.

The debt was secured by former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's government in late 2013. Russia has repeatedly stated that Ukraine's failure to pay back the debt should be classified as a default.

In February 2016, Russia filed a lawsuit against Ukraine with London's High Court of Justice, demanding that its neighbor pay back the loan.

Weak Arguments

© AFP 2017/ VASILY MAXIMOV

Moscow Urges Ukraine to Pay Off Debt to Russia After UK Court Ruling

Pavel Nefidov, director of the CIS Financial and Banking Council, said Kiev does not have solid arguments to challenge the ruling.

"Ukraine has some arguments, but all of them are feeble and related to politics, not to legal norms. Of course, the majority of financial transactions in Ukraine are currently related to politics. Neither the World Bank nor other financial institutions would unveil a loan to such an economically and politically unstable country as Ukraine. This is why the government and the Ukrainian National Bank hope that the argument will work again," Nefidov told Radio Sputnik.

However, he suggested that this time, the "we don’t have money scenario" will not work out.

"Ukraine has no choice but to pay it back. Otherwise, this case would undermine prospects for any future loans. Of course, Kiev will drag its heels. But the 'we don’t have money and won’t pay' scenario will not work out. I can’t rule out that some international financial institution may provide Kiev with money to settle the debt. Ukraine always borrows to repay other debts," Nefidov said.

Fake Excuses

© AFP 2017/ TOBIAS SCHWARZ

Wake-Up Call: IMF Delaying New Loan to Ukraine Signals Major Shift in West's Stance Towards Kiev

"[After the lawsuit was launched] the court found itself in a difficult situation because it was expected to issue a concrete ruling while Ukraine explained its rejection to pay back the debt only with political reasons," political observer Rostislav Ishchenko wrote in an analysis for RIA Novosti.

Kiev has repeatedly said that it would settle the debt after Moscow returns Crimea and compensates it for losses incurred in the conflict in eastern Ukraine.