Boris Johnson Claims Lavrov Forced Him to Drink Vodka
Official spokesperson for the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Maria Zakharova, responded to complaints from former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who claimed that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov allegedly forced him to drink vodka in Moscow in 2017.
Consensus
- Boris Johnson claimed in a 2021 interview that Sergey Lavrov forced him to drink a large amount of vodka during a 2017 visit to Moscow.
- The incident occurred during a meeting in Moscow, where Johnson was attempting to improve UK-Russia relations.
- Johnson described the experience as unpleasant and compared it to a punishment in a Victorian school.
- Maria Zakharova, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson, denied that Johnson was forced to drink vodka.
- Zakharova stated that Johnson chose vodka over wine and repeatedly requested more.
- The event took place in the Morozov mansion.
- Zakharova mentioned that Liz Truss's visit to Moscow had a similar atmosphere that did not fit the venue.
Points of divergence
- Johnson said the event was a 'catastrophe' and that he tried to 'reset relations' with Moscow, but failed. — tg_echoonline_news
- Zakharova said Johnson kept asking for more vodka during the meal. — fontanka
- Johnson described the meeting as a 'torture' and said he recalled it for the second time publicly. — riamo
- Zakharova said Johnson himself chose to drink vodka and that he kept asking to be served more. — vesti
- Johnson danced on a table, sang karaoke, and drank champagne from a bottle with his photo in July of the previous year. — vm
- Vitaly Milonov, a Russian State Duma deputy, called Johnson a 'finished scumbag'. — vm
Coverage (7 sources)
- Boris Johnson said Sergey Lavrov made him drink 'a huge amount of vodka' before the fireplace — ЭХО / Новости
- «Asked to pour more». Zakharova responds to Johnson's whining about vodka — Фонтанка
- Stove and lots of vodka: former UK PM complained about Lavrov's hospitality — РИАМО
- Zakharova told how Johnson begged for vodka at reception in Moscow — Вести
- Boris Johnson said Lavrov made him drink vodka by the hot fireplace — Фонтанка
- Zakhrova: Boris Johnson himself asked to be served vodka at the reception in Moscow — Вечерняя Москва
- Boris Johnson told how Sergey Lavrov «forced» him to drink vodka by the fireplace — Вечерняя Москва
Key entities
- Boris Johnson
- Sergey Lavrov
- MID
- Russia
- Moscow
- Great Britain
- Maria Zakharov
- Tres Respuestas
- RIA Novosti
- KП
- Britain
- Colombia
More on Boris Johnson
- The Prime Minister of the United Kingdom accused Russia of…
- They embody childishness, stupidity, and pomposity. Medvedev added…
- Zelenskyy's regime cynically uses Western 'political tourists' as a…
More on Sergey Lavrov
- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov characterized the statements…
- Europeans understand that the train is leaving and want to jump on…
- [Negotiations] The line will be established in such a way as to…