After Being Stepped On by a Passerby and Cursed
"Did a Ukrainian Spy Step on Me?" Netizens React
A scene was captured where Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, sitting behind President Vladimir Putin during a speech, was sworn at after having his foot stepped on by a passerby. On the 24th (local time), the British Daily Mail released a video showing Lavrov swearing while sitting behind President Putin, who was delivering a speech at the BRICS summit held in Kazan, Republic of Tatarstan, Russia.
A scene was captured where Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, who was sitting behind Russian President Vladimir Putin during a speech, was cursed at after having his foot stepped on by a passerby. [Photo by Daily Mail]
In the video, after having his foot stepped on, Minister Lavrov grimaced and puffed out his cheeks as he looked at the people passing by, trying to identify who it was. However, a Russian diplomatic adviser sitting next to him appeared to mock his misfortune, and the person presumed to have stepped on his foot quickly disappeared outside. After the video was released, netizens watching it analyzed that "Minister Lavrov muttered diplomatically inappropriate curses behind Putin's back after having his foot stepped on."
The media reported that he used the curse "fucking morons," a phrase previously attributed to Lavrov. He has served as Foreign Minister for 20 years, making him the longest-serving foreign minister in the world. Later, it was revealed that the person who stepped on Lavrov was a man wearing traditional ethnic clothing featuring blue and yellow, symbolizing Ukraine. Netizens who saw the video reacted with comments such as "Isn't the person who stepped on him a Ukrainian spy?" and "Honestly, anyone would curse if stepped on like that."
'Putin Mentions North Korean Troop Deployment for the First Time: "It's Our Business to Decide"
Meanwhile, at the BRICS summit closing press conference that day, when a U.S. reporter asked President Putin about satellite images supporting the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia, he dismissed the question by saying, "What and how to do with North Korea is our business." This is the first time Putin has mentioned the deployment of North Korean troops. He added, "The satellite images are serious, and if the photos exist, they must reflect something."
Additionally, President Putin mentioned that the Russian State Duma ratified a comprehensive strategic partnership treaty between Russia and North Korea that morning, which includes provisions for mutual military assistance. He said, "I never doubt that the North Korean leadership takes this agreement seriously," and added, "We are cooperating with our North Korean friends." When asked whether the deployment of North Korean troops to Russia signifies a military escalation, he countered, "Russia is not the one who escalated the situation in Ukraine." He claimed that the 'coup' in Ukraine in 2014 (the Euromaidan revolution that ousted the pro-Russian president) led to the escalation. He also stated that the West is supplying weapons to Ukraine and that NATO soldiers are directly involved in the conflict.
Until now, Russia has denied reports of North Korean troop deployment as "fake news" and "disinformation." However, after South Korea's National Intelligence Service and Ukrainian authorities continuously presented evidence of the deployment, and the U.S. announced the day before that "it assesses that North Korea moved at least 3,000 troops to Russia between early and mid-October," Russia's stance has somewhat shifted. Russia is also proceeding with the ratification process to activate the Russia-North Korea treaty signed by President Putin and North Korean Supreme Leader Kim Jong-un in June, elevating Russia-North Korea relations to a 'military alliance.'
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