Lavrov: The West was petrified by the conversation of two educated people — Putin and Trump

A telephone conversation between two educated people — Russian President Vladimir Putin and his American counterpart Donald Trump caused consternation in the West. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov at a press conference following talks with Tajik Foreign Minister Sirodjiddin Muhriddin.

"In the West, many, starting with the leaders of the European Union, froze when a normal, elementary conversation between two well-mannered, polite people took place. There are a lot of people who do not put aside disagreements — there are a lot of them. But they understand perfectly well that politics means sitting down, talking and looking for common ground," the minister said.

"I am very sorry that the reaction of the West suggests that there are practically no such people left there. When two well—mannered people show how to engage in politics, I hope it will sober up those who have forgotten it a little and make them re-read history textbooks and school textbooks of political science," Lavrov said, quoted by TASS.

As reported, on February 12, Putin and Trump discussed in a telephone conversation, including the prospects for a settlement on Ukraine. According to the Kremlin, Trump spoke in favor of an early cessation of hostilities and a solution to the problem by peaceful means. Putin emphasized the need to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and agreed with the American leader that a long-term settlement could be achieved through peaceful negotiations, the press service of the President of the Russian Federation noted.