Russia reinforces the military about NATO bases in Finland, Sweden: Lavrov
Lavrov expresses Russia’s expectation of an objective assessment of the situation on the ground by IAEA experts.
During a meeting with students, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced: “If bases are deployed on the territory of Finland and Sweden, or rather, if a decision is made to create bases for them, I am convinced that the Americans will have the most important words … Depending on how all this materializes, we will of course make a decision to strengthen our capabilities in northwestern Russia. In any case, the line of contact with NATO will increase radically.”
Russia expects an objective assessment of the situation at the ZNPP from the IAEA
Speaking about the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP), Lavrov expressed Russia’s expectation of an objective assessment of the situation at the site by experts sent by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He stressed: “We expect objectivity. Although everyone else who is involved in this visit in one way or another, with its preparations and attempts to make it difficult, they clearly do not want the IAEA mission to draw objective conclusions”, while adding that Russia is considering all measures to ensure the safety of the ZNPP and allowing IAEA experts to do their work.
The IAEA expert mission, led by Director General Rafael Grossi, arrived in Ukraine on Tuesday to inspect the power plant, which has been shelled repeatedly by the Ukrainian military. Last Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched a missile attack on Enerhodar near the ZNPP, using at least 20 large-caliber artillery shells. The nuclear power plant is Europe’s largest and an accident will have fatal consequences; a nuclear disaster whose effects will live on for generations, to say the least.
A referendum on the status of Zaparozhye and Berdiansk, both of which have been liberated by the Russian armed forces over the Ukraine war, will be held in September. However, the exact date will be revealed at a later date, Berdiansk Mayor Alexander Saulenko told reporters on Wednesday.
Attack on Transnistria is an attack on Russia
Lavrov stressed that Moldova should understand that any action against peacekeeping forces in Transnistria will be considered an attack on Russia itself, “Everyone must understand that any action that will endanger the safety of our military personnel will be considered, in accordance with international law, as an attack on the Russian Federation.”
Russia should not close its borders after the EU decision on visas
According to Lavrov, Russia should not close its borders in response to the EU’s decision to limit the issuance of Schengen visas to Russian citizens, as EU member states reached a unison agreement to suspend EU-Russia visa facilitation processes and convened to prepare what they should do with existing visas for Russians.
To the students, Lavrov revealed: “I think that in response to these Schengen walls that are now being built, we do not need to close, we do not need to take reciprocal measures, collectively punish citizens of European countries.”