Russia's decision to revoke request for warships entry at Spanish port only right and worthy one - Slutsky
MOSCOW. Oct 26 (Interfax) - Spain has shown itself to the whole world as a weak state, having failed to stand up to its NATO colleagues who made a lot of noise out of a possible entering of Ceuta by Russian warships bound for the Syrian coast, the head of the State Duma Committee for International Affairs, Leonid Slutsky, said.
"In this situation, Moscow's decision to withdraw its request for entering the Spanish port of Ceuta by our military ships is the only one that is right, tough and worthy," Slutsky told Interfax on Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, a press attache for the Russian embassy confirmed to Interfax that Russia had revoked its request for entering Ceuta by its warships.
"We saw how much noise a number of European capitals made out of Spain's permission for the Russian Navy carrier strike group - it is heading to the shores of Syria to resolve very important problems in the fight against terrorism - the NATO secretary general also expressed his concern over this matter," the committee head said.
"Madrid was accused of all kinds of things, of almost betraying the allied interests," he said. Regretfully, Spain was unable to defend its decision and "apparently, having succumbed to the general panic in its partners' camp, essentially took a step back," Slutsky said.
"We are a strong, self-respecting country, our intentions to fight terrorism are firm, and in this situation, Moscow, of course, will not be pleading anyone, asking for help, despite the fight against ISIL [a terrorist organization banned in Russia] being the shared concern of the whole civilized world," the parliamentarian said.
Effectively, today the West denied assistance to those fighting terrorists who destroy cities and kill civilians, he said.