RTMon, 06 May 2019 05:19 UTC
© American Freedom Fighters/African Ripples MagazineUS Sec. of State Pompeo • Russian FM Sergei Lavrov
The US is running an unprecedented campaign to oust legitimate Venezuelan authorities, the Russian Foreign Minister said. He noted it's typical of Washington to tell nations they are waging war against that US intentions are good.
"The attempts to force the change of government in Caracas have nothing in common with the democratic process and only undermine the prospects of a political solution," Sergey Lavrov said, during a media conference with his Venezuelan counterpart Jorge Arreaza in Moscow. He explained that the "unprecedented Washington-led campaign to oust the legitimate government" is "in rude violation of the international law."
Lavrov's appeal to the US and their allies in respect of Caracas comes ahead of his meeting with Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in Finland on Monday, at which they are expected to discuss the situation in Venezuela and other hotspots of the world.
"Cooperation between Russia and the US can play a very significant and positive role in solving most issues, if we are building this cooperation on the principle of finding common approaches," Lavrov said, rebuking Washington for often offering one-sided solutions.
He noted that, despite disagreements on Syria, Afghanistan, North Korea and other flashpoints, Moscow and Washington hold consultations on these issues on a very professional level. "I hope that common sense will prevail," Lavrov said.
Comment: More from
RFE/RL 5/6/2019 Pompeo: "The Russians must get out"
Pompeo and Lavrov spoke on May 5 ahead of their expected meeting in Finland this week, amid simmering tensions between Moscow and Washington over the crisis in Venezuela. Pompeo said: "I'm going to meet with Foreign Minister Lavrov in recent days. It's very clear, we want the Russians out, we want the Iranians out, we want the Cubans out. It's very clear,"
Earlier in the day Lavrov said, "It is only up to the Venezuelans to decide about the future of their country. Attempts at a violent coup in Caracas have nothing to do with the democratic process and only frustrate prospects for political settlement of the crisis. We call on both the Americans and those who support them to drop irresponsible plans and act exclusively within the frames of international law."
U.S. President Donald Trump told reporters on May 3 that he wasn't looking to get the U.S. military involved in Venezuela. He said that in a call, Russian President Vladimir Putin had assured him that "he is not looking to get involved in Venezuela other than he'd like to see something positive happen for Venezuela. And I feel the same way."
Unnamed U.S. officials have said that Pompeo and Lavrov will discuss "a broad range of issues" when they attend a two-day Arctic Council meeting starting on May 6 in the northern Finnish city of Rovaniemi.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said the two will exchange views "on the situation in Venezuela and around it in connection with the attempted coup d'etat in this country, on the prospects for a political and diplomatic settlement of differences within the framework of the Venezuelan Constitution, as well as options for international mediation efforts to facilitate the dialogue between the Government and the opposition."
Comment: More from RFE/RL 5/6/2019 Pompeo: "The Russians must get out"