MOSCOW, May 28 (Itar-Tass) —— U.S. Ambassador to Russia Michael McFaul replied to the Russian Foreign Ministry’s criticisms and said he was still learning the craft of speaking more diplomatically.
“Still learning the craft of speaking more diplomatically,” McFaul wrote on his Twitter account on Monday, May 28.
The Foreign Ministry criticized his remarks made on May 25, 2012 at a meeting with students of the Higher School of Economics.
“We were extremely perplexed by U.S. Ambassador in Moscow Michael McFaul’s remarks made on May 25, 2012 at a meeting with students of the Higher School of Economics. His assessments of interaction between Russia and the U.S. go far beyond diplomatic etiquette in form and are an intentional distortion of some aspects of the Russian-American dialogue in substance,” the ministry said.
“Just as unprofessional appear to be McFaul’s assertions about some ‘linkages’ that Russia supposedly insists on when discussing acute international issues. Saying that we allegedly proposed to exchange ‘Iran for Georgia’ and ‘human rights in Russia for North Korea’ means to be totally unaware of Moscow’s position, according to which fundamental issues, including non-proliferation of nuclear weapons, are an unconditional priority and are not subject to any bargaining.”
“This is not the first time when statements and actions by Mr. McFaul, who holds such a high post, startle” the ministry said.