FROM EIR DAILY ALERT

Lavrov and Pompeo Discuss Venezuela, Syria, and U.S. Anti-Russian Sanctions

Feb. 13, 2019 (EIRNS)—Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo held a phone conversation at the request of the U.S. to discuss the situations in Venezuela and Syria, and the anti-Russian sanctions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Feb. 12, reported TASS.

“In connection with the U.S. Secretary of State’s previously announced intention to impose additional sanctions on Russia under the absolutely unsubstantiated pretext of last year’s murky case of the Salisbury ‘poisoning’ of Sergei Skripal and his daughter, who have since been out of the public’s eye, Sergey Viktorovich Lavrov stressed that this unjustified step by Washington will only further aggravate the situation in bilateral relations and the atmosphere on the international arena,”

the Foreign Ministry press release reads.

“While discussing the pressing issues of the international politics, Sergey Lavrov warned against any kind of interference into the internal affairs of Venezuela, including the use of force, a threat made by Washington in breach of the international law,”

the statement reads. “Readiness was expressed to hold consultations on the Venezuelan issue in line with principles enshrined in the UN Charter.”

On Syria they agreed that further bilateral dialogue for implementing UN Security Council Resolution 2254 on Syrian reconciliation.

“Sergey Lavrov and Mike Pompeo ... also exchanged opinions about the latest contacts between officials of the Russian Foreign Ministry and the U.S. Department of State on the Korean Peninsula situation and on promoting the Afghan settlement,”

the ministry said.

Speaking to the press today in Sochi, Lavrov said the Intermediate Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty was not discussed.

“When our colleagues are ripe, we will be ready to hold a professional, specific and non-politicized dialogue. Mike Pompeo did not touch on this issue yesterday, this means that the Americans are not ripe now,”

Lavrov said.