During talks with his Namibian counterpart, the Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Russia would not allow imposing versions convenient to others.
Talks between Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and Namibian Minister of International Relations and Co-operation Peyavali Mushelenga took place four days after the terrorist attack at Crocus City Hall.
Addressing his Namibian counterpart, Lavrov said:
We appreciate sincerely the words of condolences that President Nangolo Mbumba conveyed in connection with the terrible terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall on 22 March. We appreciate this approach from our friends. I would also like to thank you personally for the sympathy and support you have just expressed by leaving an entry in the book of condolences opened in our ministry.
At the end of the talks, a decision was announced to hold a meeting at the level of foreign ministers soon. Lavrov added:
The meeting will take place this autumn in Russia, and I expect that our Namibian friends will be able to accept our invitation.
Lavrov also said after the meeting that he thought Western countries had expressed a very curious position on the terrorist attack. The Russian minister said:
It is interesting that just a day after the terrorist attack, when statements were made in the West that, of course, it was not Ukraine and, of course, “Islamic State”, suddenly and unexpectedly the leadership of Interpol said that they would be ready to assist in the investigation. I don’t recall such an initiative from Interpol in previous cases, which also required the closest international attention. The most obvious example is the Nord Streams. No one volunteered to help us investigate.
According to him, Russia will not allow a version convenient to the West to be promoted. The Russian minister said:
On the one hand, I am confident that we will cope with this investigation. On the other hand, we will hardly need such assistance, which will clearly be a manifestation of double standards and will most likely be aimed at promoting a theory convenient for the West that the Islamic State did it and Ukraine had nothing to do with it. We will manage on our own.
On 22 March, 139 people were killed in the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, Moscow Region. 182 people were injured of varying severity.
