In a statement, the Russian Embassy in Colombo has condemned remarks made by UK Foreign Secretary David Lammy at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) meeting on September 24. The Embassy described Lammy’s speech as “arrogant” and filled with “hatred and insults” towards Russia and its leadership.
The statement also took aim at the UK High Commissioner to Sri Lanka, Andrew Patrick, accusing him of supporting Lammy’s comments through social media. The Embassy labeled both remarks as indicative of what it described as a “neocolonial ideology,” and accused the UK of continuing exploitative practices reminiscent of its colonial past.
The Russian Embassy asserted that countries like the UK have “no moral right” to criticize others, highlighting Britain’s historical role in the colonization and exploitation of countries such as Sri Lanka and India. The Embassy called for the return of wealth accumulated through colonialism to its “legitimate owners.”
Allegations of Western Corruption
In response to accusations of corruption within Russia, the Embassy redirected criticism towards Western leaders, particularly in the United States. Citing controversies involving Hunter Biden, the son of U.S. President Joe Biden, and the indictment of New York City Mayor Eric Adams, the Embassy suggested that the U.S. and UK should address their own corruption scandals before reproaching others.
Defending Russia’s Ukraine Operation
The statement also addressed international criticism of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. The Embassy rejected claims that Russia is attempting to “redraw the frontiers in Europe,” instead framing its “Special Military Operation” as an effort to combat neo-Nazism in the region, similar to the fight against fascism during the 1930s and 1940s.
The Embassy further criticized Western nations, accusing them of historical hypocrisy, particularly in their role in the dissolution of Yugoslavia and the establishment of Kosovo in 1999, calling it a “genuine example of forcibly moved borders.”
Nord Stream and Western Influence
In its closing remarks, the Russian Embassy cited a series of events, including the 2022 Nord Stream explosion and the alleged sabotage of peace talks by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, as evidence of Western disruption. The statement claimed these actions have only contributed to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the deterioration of the quality of life for European citizens.
Concluding with a proverb, the Embassy warned: “People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.”
