Chairman of the State Duma Vyacheslav Volodin
©Press Service of the Lower House of Parliament/Moskva Agency
Chairman of the State Duma of Russia Vyacheslav Volodin expressed gratitude to Valery Stavitsky, an employee of the apparatus of the Russian parliament, who at the session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation (PABSEC) tore the Ukrainian flag from the hands of a deputy of the Verkhovna Rada. Gratitude was also expressed to the head of the Russian delegation in Ankara, Olga Matveeva, writes “Kommersant”.
On the website of the State Duma statedthat gratitude to Stavitsky and the head of the Russian delegation, deputy Olga Timofeeva, was declared “for their professionalism in upholding Russia’s position in the PABSEC.”
“Our colleagues are faced with a provocation by representatives of the Kiev regime. Such antics are unacceptable. At the same time, the Parliamentary Assembly of the Black Sea Economic Cooperation, unfortunately, becomes a hostage to the destructive policies of Washington and Brussels,” said Viacheslav Volodin.
The incident took place at the summit in Ankara. Video from the scene has gone viral on the web. On the recording, a member of the Verkhovna Rada unfurls the Ukrainian flag behind Timofeeva. After that, Stavitsky snatches the flag from the hands of the representative of Ukraine and tries to leave.
However, the deputy of the Rada catches up with Stavitsky and strikes him several times, then takes the flag. After that, security intervenes.
5 April Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly apologized Russian delegation for the incident at the PABSEC site in Ankara. The Turkish politician called the incident a “tough attack” against the Russians and disrespect for the summit.
