Russian Ambassador to Lebanon, Alexander Rudakov, stressed in a press conference on Sunday, that “Russia is a great country that has always aspired to achieve peace and security in the whole world.”
He added: “The statement by the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants does not take into account the historical friendly bilateral relations between the two countries.”
Addressing the press attendants, Rudakov said: “Welcome to the Embassy of the Russian Federation in Beirut, which has always been a forum for close cooperation between Russia and Lebanon in various economic, political, diplomatic, social, educational, cultural and other fields.”
“In wake of the significant events taking place between Russia and the Kiev government, I suggested that we meet today to clarify some basic points,” Rudakov went on, stressing that his country “does not pursue a hostile policy towards Ukraine, but rather exercises its right stipulated in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, which affirms the right to protect its security and Russian residing citizens, including those in the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.”
He added: “Moscow has repeatedly called for the necessity of implementing the Minsk agreements signed by Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, which clearly stipulate that no foreign country should be allowed to use the territory to pose a threat to the neighboring country, and the need to observe the provisions and privacy of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics. However, the Kiev government, and with it NATO, completely ignore the rights of Russian citizens living in these two republics, and ignore Moscow’s right to protect its borders and national security.”
Rudakov also pointed to the failure to respond to security guarantees, in light of the escalation of NATO and the intensified relationship with the Kiev government, especially military exercises, noting that “despite Moscow’s repeated calls for dialogue and the predominance of diplomacy, the Americans were quick to offer military support to the Kiev government.”
“We are not in a war, but before a special operation with several goals,” the Russian diplomat emphasized, outlining the below:
-On February 21, Russia recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk Republics, and in accordance with the treaties of friendship and cooperation, it protects them alongside Russian citizens who have been targeted by the Ukrainian army
-Russia categorically rejects the use of the Ukrainian infrastructure to carry out threats against its lands from NATO, which has spread very close to the Russian borders, including the deployment of missile systems and other precision weapons
-Russia protects national security in full accordance with the right enshrined in Article 51 of the United Nations Charter
Ambassador Rudakov, thus, concluded by underlining that “the operation of the Russian armed forces in Ukraine is not targeted against the Ukrainian people, who share with the Russian people historical relations based on respect, affinity and peace.”
Source: National News Agency – Lebanon