Russia: Situation in Venezuela improving, Lavrov says ahead of Latin American tour

M/S Interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Moscow
SOT, Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister (Russian): “Actually regarding Venezuela, I think that the situation is changing, and it is changing in the right direction because initially there were some initiatives of the so-called International Contact Group which the European Union promoted, and the Contact Group was united on a basis on ultimatums – to immediately hold presidential elections, and only then everything would be alright. There was also the Montevideo mechanism: Bolivia, Mexico, Uruguay, CARICOM, they stood for a dialogue between the government and the opposition, to make agreements with each other without any preliminary conditions. This is a different position and perspective and it is more relevant for the international law, after unsuccessful attempts from outside to provoke another coloured revolution, so now the situation has come to what we call 'the Oslo process', and this process is aimed at achieving agreements, compromises between the government and the opposition. It means that a common sense begins to prevail. I hope, taking into account positive comments from President [Nicolas] Maduro and opposition activists about how the negotiations are going, that an agreement which is suitable for everyone can be achieved.”
M/S Interview with Lavrov *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister (Russian): “I do not think that the position is antagonistic. I do not think that [Brazilian President Jair] Bolsonaro meant that all matters in the world are decided by nuclear powers, as he said that. It is not true and the situation around Venezuela is a good example of it. If nuclear powers decided everything, the USA would have long ago accomplished the change of a legitimate president and a legitimate government. The situation appeared to be more complicated and many countries in the region do not want any decisions made by using force, even those who demand an immediate removal of President Maduro, they are not drastically in favour of making decisions by using force.”
M/S Interview with Lavrov *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister (Russian): “It is a paradoxical situation which we may be able to make fun of. But, unfortunately, it is really important, and there are a lot of hotheads in Washington, D.C., who want to solve the problem with Iran by military means. We didn’t feel that Mr. Trump had a mood like this. I don’t think he shares such views but, unfortunately, many American politicians still share this idea.”
M/S Interview with Lavrov *CUTAWAY*
SOT, Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister (Russian): “It was announced that there is no end to Venezuela’s case and soon Cuba and Nicaragua will follow the same pattern. It is a very arrogant and provocative position. It can be rarely heard in the modern world. But the statement that the Monroe Doctrine is alive is a fact. We’ve heard such statements from [US National Security Advisor] Mr. Bolton. I am sure that it won’t bring laurels to American foreign politics.”
M/S Interview with Lavrov
SCRIPT
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov discussed Venezuelan political crisis and the situation around Iran in an interview in Moscow on Tuesday ahead of his Latin American tour.
The Russian diplomat said that situation in Venezuela “is changing in the right direction” as the opposition and President Nicolas Maduro’s government are committed to dialogue.
“I hope, taking into account positive comments from President [Nicolas] Maduro and opposition activists about how the negotiations are going, that an agreement which is suitable for everyone can be achieved.”
Lavrov also said he doesn’t think that nuclear powers decide everything in the world, using the situation in Venezuela as an example.
“If nuclear powers decided everything, the USA would have long ago accomplished the change of a legitimate president and a legitimate government.”
Lavrov went on to discuss the USA’s position to Iran and its nuclear programme, saying that “there are a lot of hotheads in Washington, D.C. who want to solve the problem with Iran by military means.”
He also said that Moscow doesn't believe that US President Donald Trump wants to use force to solve tensions in the Persian Gulf.
"I don’t think he shares such views but, unfortunately, many American politicians still share this idea,” he concluded.
Lavrov’s Latin American tour will take him to Cuba, Suriname and Brazil, where he will participate in the BRICS Foreign Ministers Meeting.