UN Security Council. Syrian chemical weapons

1 The UN — Syria

During an interview to the ’TASS’ news agency, the Permanent Russian Representative to the UN, Vasily Nebenzya, stated that Russia will oppose the attempts to return to the UN Security Council’s closed discussions on the elimination of the Syrian chemical weapons. Vasily Nebenzya stated that the UK, the chairman-state of the UN Security Council in February, proposed to return to the discussion of this topic «behind closed doors» — without a video broadcast and without the participation of a representative from Syria. Vasily Nebenzya pointed out that these sessions became open by a Russian initiative. He expressed his opinion that «the international community should know what is happening with the Syrian chemical weapons». He added that Russia will insist that the meetings must be open.

2 The USA — Iran

The head of the US Army Central Command, General Frank Mackenzie, stated that the US-Iranian relations could change due to the inauguration of the new US President, Joe Biden. Frank Mackenzie expressed his confidence that «there is a political hope in Iran to contact the new US administration, and see if the situation can change» — the ’Defense One’ news website quoted his words. He added that «the new administration is about to review the US policy».

3 India — China

In the area of ​​the Naku-La pass, in the Himalayan state of Sikkim, in India, there were some clashes between the Indian and Chinese border troops. Clashes injured 20 Chinese and 4 Indian servicemen — the Indian mass media reported. It was reported that the Chinese troops tried to invade the Indian territory. The Indian troops stopped them. It was noted that the situation in the area is under control. The Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Zhao Lijian stated during a briefing that the Chinese Foreign Ministry has no information about the clashes on the Chinese-Indian border.The Chinese newspaper ’Global Times’ stated that information from the Indian mass media regarding 20 wounded Chinese servicemen is false. Earlier ’the Times of India’ reported that the representatives of the command of the land forces of India and China held negotiations during which they discussed the situation in the border areas, and the issues of withdrawal of troops. The meeting took place on Sunday, and it lasted 15 hours.

4 Russia — the CAR

The special envoy of the Russian president for the Middle East and African countries, the Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov, stated that Russia is ready to discuss the issue of sending new military advisers to the Central African Republic. «If any legitimate leaders of sovereign countries ask us to do such action — we always consider their appeals in the most mindful way» — Mikhail Bogdanov explained and added that a difficult situation still remains in the CAR. The elections held in the country should have a positive effect on the socio-political situation, and in the solving of socio-economic problems.

5 The PACE — Russia

Several representatives of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe challenged the credentials of the Russian delegation during the opening of the winter session. The initiative was made by the head of the Ukrainian delegation — a deputy from the Ukrainian presidential political party «Servant of the People», Maria Mezentseva. She contested the credentials of the Russian delegation ’’on the substantive grounds in accordance with the Article 8″. Maria Mezentseva insisted that Russia, allegedly, «continues to violate the human rights in the occupied territories, in a violation of the PACE resolutions». 38 participants of the meeting voted ’for’ challenging the powers. 61 voted ’against’. 51 parliamentarians abstained from voting. The issue of credentials was sent to the relevant PACE committee in order to prepare a report, which will be discussed during the winter session of the Assembly during this week.

6 Russia

The official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova, stated on-air of the Russian TV channel ’’Channel One’’ that the Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, Sergei Ryabkov, expressed a loud protest to the US Ambassador to Russia, John Sullivan, due to the statement made by the American Embassy in Russia on the social networks, and due to the statements on other Internet platforms about the support of the illegal actions in a number of Russian cities. She added that Russia «considers those messages, as well as the statements from the US State Department, as a direct interference in the internal affairs of Russia». Constantine Reztsov, specially for ANNA NEWS.