Remarks by Ambassador V.A.Nebenzia, Permanent Representative of the Russian Federation to the United Nations, following UNSC meeting on letter dated 13 March 2018 from the Chargén d'affaires a.i. of the Permanent Mission of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland to the United Nations addressed to the President of the Security Council
Q: What is your attitude regarding this campaign?
A: It is a very black smear campaign. We were suspecting it would emerge on surface by the time of certain events and we see now timing is perfect. You see it clearly: the presidential elections, the World Cup. We raised questions. We said that we were ready to cooperate from the beginning but they were never offering us any cooperation. They just threw accusations and ultimatums to us.
Q: But what is your strategy? They are accusing you using every possible weapon.
A: We will be consistent in explaining to the international community that this is not the case. And we said it clearly. I thought you saw my statement. They do not need an investigation on evidence. They already “know” everything.
Q: But if I want to be the devil’s advocate. I want to chase and take the truth from you.
A: You had the truth today. We have nothing to do with it and we are ready to cooperate to establish who actually did this.
Q: Are you ready to cooperate with the OPCW?
A: Yes. It was in my statement. There are articles in the Convention, which provide for this cooperation. We were continuously pointing it to them, but they never came to us on it. They accused us and threw an ultimatum at us.
Q: Why are they connecting it to Russia? To Syria?
A: In their view, that is discrediting us on chemical Syria as well, because we are now also “violators” of the Convention.
Q: Are you going to use the veto against those draft resolutions – on the JIM and the ceasefire in Ghouta.
A: The resolution on Ghouta is 2401, there is no other.
Q: But you are not going to accept the other one?
A: Where is the other? Have you seen it? It’s unofficial.
Q: Will it be any follow-up on today’s meeting?
A: If there is a follow-up, it should be in the OPCW where the case can be cleared up. We are ready to cooperate. We were saying that consistently and continuously during the debate.
Q: Thank you, Ambassador.
