Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov caused a storm on social media after being filmed swearing under his breath at a press conference with Saudi Arabia.
During a press conference with his Saudi counterpart about the Syria crisis and combating ISIS, Lavrov’s unguarded remark seems to have grabbed all the attention.
He was caught on mic saying ‘fucking morons’….but who was he referring to?
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According to the Mail Online:
Even a former U.S. ambassador to Moscow joined the social media storm triggered after Lavrov let slip the less than diplomatic language on Tuesday as he and his Saudi counterpart Adel al-Jubeir met the press.
Taped footage showed Lavrov waiting as part of the conference is translated into Arabic, checking his mobile phone, making notes, adjusting glasses, briefly rubbing his forehead and then saying quietly: “Fucking morons.”
It was not clear who or what Lavrov was referring to and his spokeswoman, who was present, said she did not hear the minister swear and that his talks with Jubeir went well.
The two had earlier failed to resolve a disagreement over the fate of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The reaction on social media included a contribution from ex-U.S. ambassador Michael McFaul in response to a suggestion that Lavrov had aimed the comment at the Saudi minister.
That would be a major embarrassment for Moscow at a time when it has launched a new diplomatic push over Syria.
“Really? And he used to accuse me of undiplomatic language,” McFaul wrote on Twitter.
Lavrov’s spokeswoman said he was not annoyed about the talks with Jubeir.
“I cannot comment on what’s not related to the essence of the talks,” she said. “Interjections, noises, sneezing – I think it’s unnecessary to comment on lip reading. Everyone hears differently.”
A Reuters photographer and cameraman present said the remark by Lavrov, known for often getting annoyed with photographers, appeared aimed at those who started snapping pictures as he raised his hand to adjust his glasses.
