"We hope that the US side will fulfil its promises regarding ensuring separation of moderate opposition from Nusra Front. We have spoken about it with them, and have heard many times assurances of our US colleagues not only of such plans, but that they are ready to do it and maximally facilitate this. There is no place for terrorists in a future Syria," Zakharova told journalists during the press briefing.
The Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman noted that during the recent meeting with John Kerry Sergei Lavrov stressed that the bloodshed in Syria needs to be stopped.
Russia hopes US will fulfil its promise of separating moderate Syria opposition from al-Nusra Front.
Speaking about the minister's agenda, Zakharova announced that Sergei Lavrov will attend ASEAN meeting on July 25-26.
#Zakharova: On July 25−26, #Lavrov will take part in @ASEAN annual high-level events in Vientiane, Laos pic.twitter.com/rZoeoHpSdo
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) 21 July 2016
Meanwhile, preparations are underway to hold high-level talks next week between Russia, the United States and the United Nations in Geneva, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
"Russia will continue to promote this development in a variety of formats, and from this angle we are preparing our participation in a trilateral high-level Russia-US-UN meeting next week," Zakharova said at a weekly briefing.
She said the exact date of the meeting has not yet been confirmed.
On beheading of 12yo boy in Syria
The boy was beheaded just because he was suspected of espionage, of cooperation with Bashar Assad, Maria Zakharova said.
According to the outfit of the boy, just before he was killed he was tortured. Those people who claimed the responsibility for the beheading, "I doubt we can find common ground with this sort of people," Zakharova told journalists.
On situation in Mali
A military base was attacked in Mali. At least 18 people were killed and over 40 were injured. Moscow strongly condemned this attack, Zakharova said.
#Zakharova: Russia condemns the extremists’ attack in Mali aimed as destabilising the country and derailing the intra-Malian settlement
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) July 21, 2016
New German White Book
"We believe that if Russia will not change its police it remains to be a threat," the document read as cited by Zakharova.
This documet claims Russia as fact of instability. It means Germany does not consider Russia as partner.
"But this document has nothing to do with actual Russian policy," Maria Zakharova said.
#Zakharova: New anti-Russia invective by Germany is regrettable and will be taken into account in Russia-Germany relations @RusBotschaft
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) July 21, 2016
Great Britain
We expected that with new foreign office in the country the anti-Russian rhetoric will also change, but it seems like this not going to happen, Zakharova said.
#Zakharova: Russia hopes that the new UK cabinet will be constructive and act in the spirit of mutual respect in dealing with Russia
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) July 21, 2016
Russian REN TV journalists were denied from entry to Turkey
We keep in contact with Turkish side on this incident. There are list of banned foreign journalists. Russia asked Turkey for clarification of information about presense Russian journalists in this list, but we didn't receive answer yet, the spokeswoman said.
On arrest of Russian citizen in Thailand
Russia is taking measures to resolve the situation surrounding the arrest of a Russian citizen at the United States’ request in Thailand and to prevent his extradition to the US, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
“To date, we have not received any official notice explaining the grounds for the arrest of the Russian citizen either from Thailand or the United States. In this regard, Turkey’s charge d’affaires has been summoned to the Russian Foreign Ministry, to whom a relevant submission has been made,” Zakharova told reporters.
She stressed that the Russian Embassy in Bangkok maintained regular contact with local authorities on the detention of Dmitry Ukrainsky. Thai police said earlier in the day Ukrainsky, 44, was detained at the US Federal Bureau of Investigation’s request on suspicion of credit card fraud.
“A note with a statement about the inadmissibility of the Russian citizen’s extradition to the United States has also been sent to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand… Of course, we intend to take all necessary measures and actions to secure his release from custody or exchange him to Russia,” Zakharova added.
On situation in Armenia
Russia condemns the capture of a police building in Yerevan and supports the actions taken by the Armenian government, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said.
#Zakharova: Russia condemns the seizure of a police station in Yerevan on July 17 and supports the measures taken by Armenian authorities
— MFA Russia (@mfa_russia) July 21, 2016
On July 17, an armed group took several police officers hostage at a patrol police station in Yerevan’s district of Erebuni. The hostage-takers are demanding the release of Jirair Sefilian, an opposition politician and the founder of the New Armenia Public Salvation Front. Sefilian, who took part in the 1988-1994 Nagorno-Karabakh conflict with Azerbaijan, is accused of the illegal acquisition and possession of arms.
"We resolutely condemn the armed capture of a patrol police station in Yerevan on July 17," Zakharova told journalists.
According to the spokeswoman, Moscow supports the actions carried out by the Armenian authorities to resolve the issue.
"We expect that they will swiftly make it possible to unblock the situation, free the hostages, carry out a thorough investigation and punish those responsible," Zakharova said.
