Photo: Natalia Gubernatorova
During the visit, the Russian chapter Foreign Ministry Sergei Lavrov in Norway experienced an awkward situation that almost turned into a scandal, but it was prevented, says Aftenposten. During lunch in Tromsø, Lavrov spoke with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom, Anniken Witfeldt. She decided to show him the family heirloom – the coffin of his grandfather, who was in captivity with the Germans along with Soviet soldiers.
Witfeldt noted that in captivity, his grandfather learned Russian and learned to read Russian poetry. . Therefore, the box became a symbol of friendship between the two nations. “That is why I would like to show you this box, which stands in our house as a precious memory,” the Norwegian Minister turned to Lavrov and handed him the box.
However, Lavrov understood Witfeldt in such a way that they decided to give him this box … “Thank you for this invaluable souvenir. He will find his place in the museum of our ministry, “said Lavrov. Witfeldt replied with a smile.
As it turned out, Lavrov nevertheless returned his grandfather's box to the minister, and there was no scandal in relations between the countries. The Norwegian Foreign Ministry told reporters that it was a “slight misunderstanding”.