Surkov says Avakov finished off wine meant for Normandy summit negotiators

“You shouldn't believe the words of a man who wasn't at the talks, and what's more, was drunk.”

Russian presidential aide Vladislav Surkov responded to Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov's remarks that Surkov's “nerves had failed” at the talks in Paris. Surkov commented on Avakov's statement to the Russian publication Kommersant.

Vladislav Surkov
Russian presidential aide

The talks in Paris on Monday were neither particularly difficult nor emotionally charged. Rather, they were long. As for Avakov's fantasies, the best comment on them is his own words. In the same interview, where he describes members of the Russian delegation, he also reveals important information about himself. He says that he was — I quote — “not allowed anywhere near” the talks. He also says that after the talks he made his way into the room and actively finished off the wine left over from the dinner of the “Normandy Four” leaders. “Pomerolchik,” in his words. So one should not believe the words of a man who was not at the talks, and what's more, was drunk

Earlier, in a conversation with journalist Dmitry Gordon, Arsen Avakov revealed details of the negotiating process at the Normandy Four summit. Asked by Gordon whether “it is true that Surkov went for Yermak?”, Avakov replied that he “lost his temper.”

Arsen Avakov
Ukrainian Interior Minister

He [Surkov] had a meltdown. He lost his temper, threw the papers on the table, or part of them fell on the floor. Like, “that's not what we agreed.” Because they proposed dividing, continuing to play this “little fool” game, dividing along the border. Divide where? In Marinka, where every metre is soaked in blood? In Shyrokyne, where we took steps so they would not shell Mariupol with a hail of fire? In Avdiivka? What nonsense?