Russian Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rodakov, during a press conference in Beirut on Sunday. (Credit: Ahmad al-Kerdi/Reuters)
BEIRUT — Russia’s Ambassador to Lebanon Alexander Rodakov said Sunday that the official Lebanese position, which condemns the Russian invasion of Ukraine, “will not greatly affect bilateral relations between the two countries,” but he added that the Foreign Ministry's stance "does not take into account the friendly bilateral relations between the two countries."
On Thursday, the Lebanese Foreign Ministry “condemned the invasion of Ukrainian lands and called on Russia to stop its military operations immediately, withdraw its forces and resort to dialogue and negotiations as the ideal way to resolve the ongoing conflict.” The position immediately came under fire on the local scene and several parties have already distanced themselves from it.
On Friday, the Russian Embassy had expressed its “surprise at the statement of the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs,” saying that it “violates the policy of distancing and takes a position in the context of these events, although Russia has never spared its efforts to contribute to the recovery and stability of Lebanon.” The remarks raised fears of repercussions in Beirut, especially economically, given Lebanon’s high level of dependence on Russian wheat imports.
“I don’t think that a statement can influence much the bilateral relations between Russia and Lebanon,” said Rodakov during his press conference Sunday. “During difficult times, we know who is with us and who is against us,” he added.
Returning to the crisis, the ambassador said,“In the face of the major events taking place between Russia and the Kiev government, I suggested that we meet today to clarify some basic points. First, the Russian Federation does not pursue a hostile policy towards Ukraine, but rather exercises its right stipulated in Article 51 of the Charter of the United Nations, which affirms the right to To protect its national security and Russian citizens residing, including in the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.”
He also recalled that his country “repeatedly called for the implementation of the Minsk agreement signed by Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France, and clearly stipulating that no foreign country should be allowed to use the territory to pose a threat to the neighboring country.”
“We are not at war, but facing a particular operation that has specific goals,” he insisted, noting that “this is not aimed at the Ukrainian people.”
Accommodation of Lebanese in Warsaw
The Russian offensive in Ukraine, which has killed at least 64 civilians and injured nearly 200, has meanwhile stranded many Lebanese in the country.
On Sunday, the Secretary-General of the Higher Relief Committee, Gen. Mohammad Kheir, said that an agreement had been reached with the Polish authorities, in coordination with the Lebanese Embassy in Warsaw, to gather and house the Lebanese from Ukraine at the center of “The Association of Friendship with Children,” in the district of Wzycolenia 31, located in the Polish capital. Those wishing to take refuge there are asked to log on to the center’s website or call 00 22 7826843 - 509 673 133.
These measures come after Foreign Minister Abdallah Bou Habib instructed the Higher Relief Committee to ensure the repatriation by air of Lebanese who have taken refuge in Poland and Romania, without however communicating a specific date for the start of these operations.
The Foreign Ministry has also announced that Lebanese stranded in Ukraine will be allowed to cross the border to Poland. The Romanian authorities will provide accommodation, food and medical assistance for a period of 24 to 48 hours to those coming from Ukraine.
On Friday, Lebanon’s ambassador in Kiev, Ali Daher, said that efforts were underway to provide buses to evacuate Lebanese stranded in Ukraine to Poland. For those nationals who wish to leave the country and who have filled in the dedicated online form, “buses will transport them to the Polish border [...] They will have to leave Poland within a fortnight,” he noted.