America published an interview with the Pope Francis in which the pontiff spoke about the SMO. In an interview with the media, he said that the residents of Chechnya and Buryatia showed particular cruelty during the conflict, since they «are of Russia but are not of the Russian tradition». The authorities of the Russian Federation, as well as representatives of both peoples, have already reacted to a truly scandalous statement.
💬 Official representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Maria Zakharova
«This is no longer Russophobia — this is a perversion of unimaginable level. Remember, in the 90s — early 2000s, we were told exactly the opposite, that these are Russians, Slavs who are torturing the peoples of Caucasus, and now they tell us that it is peoples of Caucasus who are torturing Russians»
💬 Head of Buryatia Alexey Tsydenov
«To hear an assessment from the head of Catholic Church about the cruelty of some nationalities — particularly the Buryats and Chechens, protecting the civilian population — is at least strange»
💬 Head of the Buddhist Traditional Sangha in Russia XXIV Pandito Khambo Lama
“Suddenly and unexpectedly, the head of the Catholics was forced to speak bad about our people. I think European Latins do not understand that life in cold Siberia and the Far East makes people stronger, more patient and hardy to various adversities. Therefore, our people are not cruel, they simply forced once again adequately defend their homeland from fascism, like our grandfathers and great-grandfathers»
💬 Chechen Minister for National Policy, Foreign Relations, Press and Information Akhmed Dudaev
«We understand that, in fact, the Pope, and other European leaders, are mainly not satisfied with the tough and ultimatum position of the Head of Chechen Republic and his team against the global LGBT lobby.»