During his visit to Samarkand, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov drew attention to the absence of a Russian-language inscription at the "Grieving Mother" memorial, RIA Novosti said.
There are two inscriptions on the sides of the monument - one in Uzbek and the other in English. Sergei Lavrov pointed out that the memorial's words to fallen soldiers are translated only into English. The inscription reads: "You are always in our heart, my dear."
"How did the English end up here? I see the inscription is in English," he asked the tour guide.
"In all languages, basically. A city of tourism," she replied.
"I don't see any Russian," the minister replied.
The Foreign Minister Bakhtiyor Saidov was present at the conversation, TASS reported.
The press service of the Russian Foreign Ministry published a series of photographs from the flower-laying ceremony. In the pictures, the minister is accompanied by servicemen of the honor guard company. They bring a basket of red roses to the monument.
Sergey Lavrov landed in Samarkand on a two-day official visit. His agenda includes a meeting with the President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, as well as detailed talks with Bakhtiyor Saidov. The parties are expected to discuss the development of bilateral relations, Eurasian integration and joint preparations for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Victory in World War II.
Earlier in April 15 Sergai Lavrov in an interview to Kommersant.ru pointed to Russia's desire to seize territory in countries in Eastern Europe, the South Caucasus, and Central Asia — including NATO member states.
Given this, was it a trolling by the authorities of the visiting Russian foreign minister, or a mere coincidence?
