Vladimir Tarabrin reportedly left the room in protest during the G20 meeting in Kolkata, India. Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
A Russian representative left the G20 summit earlier this month after Tom Tugendhat called «Putin's corrupt government», according to The Telegraph.
Mr. Tugendhat, the UK Secretary of State for Security, used the roundtable speech to denounce Russia's «kleptocratic elite» and the Kremlin's «vile and illegal» invasion of Ukraine.
In turn, the Russian participant stated, that London is «globally known» for its corruption, and then left.
A diplomatic spat took place behind closed doors on August 12 in the Indian city of Kolkata during an anti-corruption meeting. Meeting of representatives of the G20 countries.
Tugendhat is rumored to be running to replace Ben Wallace as secretary of defense, with a cabinet reshuffle expected in the next two weeks.
Mr Tugendhat denounced Russia's «despicable and illegal invasion of Ukraine». during the meeting Photo: Julian Simmonds for The Telegraph
This newspaper received reports of the incident from three sources familiar with what happened. There were two in the room, and one experienced non-UK senior official who was present said that Russia's reaction was certainly a «strike», adding that they had not seen anything like it before in their careers.
< p>The Telegraph also read an article that recorded Tugendhat's words verbatim.
This incident reflects how tensions between London and Moscow have escalated after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. February 2022.
The UK, under the leadership of Boris Johnson, then Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, sought to lead the process of imposing economic sanctions against Russia, as well as providing military support to Ukraine.
At the morning meeting on the fight against corruption, representatives of each from the G20 countries gave speeches in alphabetical order of country names.
Western countries critical of Russia's war in Ukraine mentioned the invasion, but Mr. Tugendhat's speech contained the harshest condemnation, according to two sources in the room.
According to the transcript, Mr. Tugendhat once said: «I also I would like to make it clear that the United Kingdom, along with its international partners, condemns – in the strongest possible terms – Russia's heinous and illegal invasion of Ukraine.”
“This is an unprovoked and deliberate attack on a sovereign democratic state that constitutes a flagrant violation of international law and territorial integrity.”
Elsewhere he said: “Russia, where the kleptocratic elite used corruption to take over the state, is robbing the on a massive scale among the Russian people and ensures impunity for their actions.
“And as Russia’s recent actions have shown, in the most serious case, this culture of impunity threatens world peace.”
Mr. Tugendhat also referred to Putin by name, saying: “We also introduced our own Magnitsky. International Anti-Corruption Sanctions, named after an accountant killed on the Kremlin’s orders, allow us to restrict access to the UK for some of the most serious foreign corrupt officials, including those linked to Putin’s corrupt government.”
The criticism provoked an unplanned reaction from the Russian representative in the hall, Vladimir Tarabrin, director of the Russian Department of New Challenges and Threats.
“He purposefully set his sights on London and the City. In essence, he said that everyone knows that London is a hive of corruption, it is world famous for it, ”said a source who was present, who was not part of the British delegation. A second source in the room confirmed the general thrust of the remarks.
Mr. Tarabrin's intervention reportedly lasted about 40 seconds. He then turned around and left the meeting, which three sources interpreted as a symbolic gesture.
In response, Western allies made speeches in support of the UK's position, including Richard Nephew, the US representative at the meeting, who is a senior State Department official with an anti-corruption report.
At one point, Mr. Tarabrin returned to the room, only to leave again when he heard continued criticism of his position from Western allies, according to two sources. what was said.
«Russia can and should stop the war»
Mr Tugendhat echoed his comments in response.
The transcript reads: «We are here today to discuss corruption and I just gave relevant examples the cost that corruption brings to the Russian people, and the pain and brutality that Ukraine is experiencing because of the corrupt regime in the Kremlin. But let me be clear: Russia can and must end the war in Ukraine immediately.”
This episode highlights the tensions within the G20 — the group of countries that still includes Russia, as opposed to the smaller G7 — and the task of the body making new agreements.
Rishi Sunak, Prime Minister The minister is flying to India next month for the world leaders segment of the G20 summit. It is expected that Putin will not be at the event. His place will most likely come Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister.
All 20 countries, including Russia, eventually signed on to the conclusions of the anti-corruption summit, which did not concern Ukraine.
The reaction of the Russian embassy
A representative of the Russian embassy in London responded to the approach of The Telegraph report defends Mr. Tarabrin and criticizes Mr. Tugendhat.
The spokesman said Mr. Tugendhat's remarks were «unprofessional both in terms of language and content.»
Spokesman added: “They were clearly at odds with the theme of promoting international cooperation in the fight against corruption and were met with bewilderment by the numerous delegations present at the meeting.”
The lengthy statement of the Russian embassy echoed the statements that Mr. Tarabrin made at meeting. at the meeting, stating that London is “well known around the world as a safe haven for corrupt individuals and entities, as well as their assets.”
Part of the statement read: “Director Vladimir Tarabrin has duly exercised his right of reply provided by the Chairman of the meeting for the correction of Mr. Tugendhat.”
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