Top Russian diplomat says timing of Trump meeting was a 'coincidence'
Moscow (CNN)Russia's top diplomat has said the timing of his recent White House meeting with President Donald Trump was a "coincidence."
Sergei
Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, spoke about the meeting in an
interview on state media, saying it was organized a month before his
trip to Washington. Trump and Lavrov met on the same day Democrats in Congress unveiled articles of impeachment against the President.
"I
believe that it was a coincidence that our meeting was held on the day
when the House Committee launched the impeachment procedure," Lavrov
said in an interview that first aired on Russia's Channel One on Sunday.
"...it
is a tradition of Russian-US relations that when the chief diplomat
visits the capital city of the partner he is received by the head of
state. It is a long-standing tradition."
Lavrov
expressed hope for more constructive relations between Moscow and
Washington. He also praised Trump's style of foreign policy.
"I like the way President Trump talks about international affairs and bilateral relations," he said.
"He
avoids ambiguities and tries to speak his mind. It is not often that
top-level politicians do this, but I think that it is a very
constructive approach that allows the sides to see the potential,
difficulties and prospects of relations, which is what we are concerned
about."
However, Lavrov underscored
longstanding differences with the US on a number of matters,
particularly Washington's policy toward Iran.
"Iran cannot be treated the way Washington is trying to do it," he said.
"Not
only do Americans grossly violate the UN Charter by refusing to comply
with the UN Security Council's binding resolution but they also rather
rudely address the demands to the Islamic Republic of Iran, a country
with a one-thousand-year-old civilization, traditions, and an immense
sense of dignity."
CNN has reached out to the White House and the National Security Council for comment.
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