Putin left waiting for a meeting with President of Kyrgyzstan
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Russia has described as “immoral” and “blasphemous” the decision to deny Putin the opportunity to attend the Queen’s funeral. Representatives from every country with which the UK has diplomatic relations have been invited to the ceremony, bar three. Moscow lashed over the snub which came in spite of the President offering his “deep condolences” for Britain’s loss.
Her Majesty died last Thursday at the age of 96 in what is understood to have been among her favourite residences.
A state funeral will be held on September 19, which will also be a bank holiday.
Following the Queen’s death, messages of condolence flowed into the country from all around the world, including from capitals which are not currently in the best of terms with London.
Upon receiving the news, Vladimir Putin wrote to the new King, Charles III: “Your Majesty, please accept my deep condolences on the death of Queen Elizabeth II.
“The most important events in the recent history of the United Kingdom are inextricably linked with Her Majesty’s name.
“For many decades, Elizabeth II rightfully enjoyed the love and respect of her subjects, as well as authority on the world stage.”
He added: “I wish you courage and resilience in the face of this difficult, irreparable loss. I ask you to convey words of sincere sympathy and support to the members of the Royal Family and all the people of Great Britain.”
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The tone from the Kremlin has, however, turned more sour after being subbed by the organiser’s of Her Majesty’s state funeral.
Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, quoted in the Sun, described the decision as an “attempt to use the national tragedy” for “geopolitical purposes”.
She said: “We see this British attempt to use the national tragedy, which has touched the hearts of millions of people around the world, for geopolitical purposes to settle scores with our country… as deeply immoral.
“This is particularly blasphemous towards Elizabeth II’s memory.
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“The unifying image of Queen Elizabeth II, who has not interfered with politics as a matter of principle during her reign, has not become an obstacle to London’s dissenting attacks, which are subject to accomplishing their own conjectural objectives.
“For our part, we express our profound condolences to the British people for the great loss that befell them.”
The Kremlin had previously announced Putin himself would not be attending the funeral, but left the door open for a representative to be present at the ceremony.
Envoys from Iran and Nicaragua, as well as North Korea, will be present.
Belarus and Myanmar have also been snubbed from the funeral, despite having diplomatic ties with the UK.
Writing in the Independent, Mary Dejevsky said: “What we have here is something akin to the world’s ‘naughty step’. This stands to perpetuate – rather than heal – divisions.”
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