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Russia Ready For Serious Talks With London on Skripal Case - Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has announced that Moscow is prepared to conduct serious talks with London regarding the investigation of the alleged poisoning of Sergei Skripal.
Sputnik

While Britain did not present any proof of Russia's involvement in Skripal affair, Moscow is ready and willing to hold serious discussion with London about this matter, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said during joint press conference with his German counterpart Heiko Maas in Berlin.

"Today we've confirmed to our German partners that we haven't seen any evidence. And I seriously doubt that the British presented anything other than what they publicly use to back their baseless accusations, to their NATO allies and to the European Union," Lavrov said.

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The minister also remarked that Moscow is ready for a serious discussion with London, based on the principles of the international law and not on the "highly-likely principle."

"The 'highly-likely' principle won't fly here, even though our British colleagues employ it to demonize Russia and to turn all their European partners against us. This is being done during the Brexit process which is probably why London steps up these efforts," Lavrov remarked.

He also stressed that there is no factual basis for somewhat meaningful discussion of accusations against Russia maintained by London with regard to the Skripal affair or the death of former Russian security officer Alexander Litvinenko.

"Not only with regard to the Litvinenko case but also with regard to the situation around the Skripals as well as the deaths of other Russian nationals in London, including [former top manager of Russian flag carrier Aeroflot Nikolai] Glushkov, there are no facts whatsoever which could become a basis for meaningful consideration and discussion [on the issue]," Lavrov said.

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German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas added that Berlin received a considerable amount of data regarding the Skripal case, and has no reason to doubt its veracity.

"We maintain close contact with our partners in Britain. We've already received plenty of information regarding this matter and have no reason to doubt it," he said, adding that an exchange of information between the parties involved may help the investigation.

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