Russian top officials, lawmakers react to deadly attack in Nice

MOSCOW, July 15. /TASS/. On Thursday evening, a lorry ploughed through a crowd during Bastille Day celebrations on the Promenade des Anglais in the southern city of Nice killing at least 84 people. French Prime Minister Manuel Valls on Friday declared a three-day national period of mourning starting July 16. He also said that the French parliament would consider extending the state of emergency in the country on July 20.

The Kremlin and the Russian Foreign Ministry have experessed their condolences to the French nation. The Russian president sent a telegram to his French counterpart expressing his shock over the tragedy.

Other Russian top officials have also commented on the deadly attack in France's Nice.

Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has stressed that terrorists and their sponsors understand only force, and it should be used.

"Terrorism has no boundaries and represents a common threat, and we should look for a response to it together," Medvedev said in a telegram sent to his French counterpart Manuel Valls. "Terrorists and sponsors understand only force, and we should use it," he added.

"We grieve and sympathize with French people. There are citizens of many countries among those killed and injured," Medvedev said.

The Russian prime minister also expressed condolences to the families and friends of those killed in the terrorist attack in Nice. "I want to convey condolences to France, everyone injured, as well as relatives of those killed in this horrific terrorist attack in Nice," Medvedev told a plenary session at the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) in Ulan-Bator. "Terrorism has no boundaries and represents a common threat for Europe and Asia. There are currently reports about 80 victims, unfortunately. Among them are children, many tourists," he said.

"According to media reports, among victims are citizens of the European Union and Russia. This is a very sorrowful event. We need to look for ways to respond to such threats together, show solidarity, make every effort to fight against terrorism," the Russian prime minister concluded.

Organizers of Nice attack will be found shortly

 Speaker of Russia’s Federation Council (upper house of parliament) has voiced confidence that the organizers of the terrorist attack in Nice, France, would be found within a short period of time and would get the punishment they deserve.

"While strongly condemning this heinous crime that has killed and wounded French nationals, Russians and other countries’ citizens, I express confidence that the organizers of this barbaric attack will be found before long and get the punishment they deserve," reads a note of condolence of the Federation Council speaker addressed to French Senate President Gerard Larcher.

On behalf of the Federation Council, Matviyenko offered her "most sincere condolences on multiple deaths in the terrible terrorist attack" in Nice. "In this time of mourning please convey words of support to the friendly people of France, to relatives and friends of those killed in the attack and wishes for a speedy recovery to those wounded," she wrote.

Matviyenko also expressed readiness "to pool efforts, including in the legislative field, for close cooperation with France in combating international terrorism."

World should unite 

Chairman of Russian Federation Council’s International Affairs Committee Konstantin Kosachev said the world should leave aside disagreements and unite in the face of a common threat after the terrorist attack in Nice.

"Terrorism is beyond moral and politics. It can be crushed only by joint efforts," Kosachev wrote on his Facebook page.

He expressed hope that "civilized humankind will make the only possible conclusion after this tragedy." "We all should leave aside any disagreements between countries and unite in the face of a common threat," the lawmaker stressed.

Kosachev noted that people grieve together "with those who was killed and injured in Nice, no matter the nationality and citizenship." "The terrible terrorist attack committed by a person without heart, without brain and without God. The hell exists, and its gates are open now," he wrote adding that he sent "words of sympathy and solidarity to colleagues and friends" in France.

Terrorists want to show no boundaries exist for them

According to First Deputy Chairman of Russian Federation Council’s Committee on Defense and Security Frants Klintsevich, terrorists chose France for their attack to prove that there are no boundaries for them.

"Terrorists did what they could not do during UEFA Euro," Klintsevich said. Terrorists "chose France to carry out the attack because they wanted to show the whole world that there are no boundaries for them," he added. "It may sound terrible, but this was a demonstrative terrorist attack," he noted.

Klintsevich stressed that "it is not the time to investigate why security services were not able to prevent" the attack. "The world, in particular Europe, has entered a new reality. We do not have even a minute to think now, without any exaggeration. We need real, not theoretical, uniting of efforts of special services, at least among European countries, including Russia," he said.

Those who resists this citing other threats "should be considered willing or unwilling accomplices of terrorists," Klintsevich said adding that "Russia grieves together with France."

Russian Security Council secretary calls for fighting against terrorist threat together

Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolay Patrushev has called to fight against terrorist threats together.

Patrushev sent a telegram to French Secretary General of Defense and National Security Louis Gautier. "Nikolay Patrushev conveyed condolences over the tragedy in Nice, asked to send his words of support and sympathy to the friends and families of those killed, as well as confirmed the necessity to act together to counter terrorist threats," Russian Security Council’s press service said.