Question
T9. Given the increasing evidence of hybrid attacks by Russia on British targets, will the Foreign Secretary rule out shaking hands with Sergey Lavrov at the upcoming G20?
Answer
We do not engage in that way with the Russians and have not for a number of years. As I have said throughout this session, we are absolutely clear about the need to counter the Russian hybrid threat.50% vibes
Verdict: AMBER (72/100)
The question asked whether the Minister would shake hands with Russian Foreign Secretary Sergey Lavrov at the G20. The reply clearly answers no, stating that the UK does not engage with Russians in that way and has not for years. It refers to 'the Russians' in general rather than naming Lavrov, and a further rhetorical statement adds nothing to the answer, so the reply is clear but not fully specific.
How we got there
| Question item | Coverage | Specificity | Rationale |
|---|---|---|---|
| Will the Foreign Secretary rule out shaking hands with Sergey Lavrov at the upcoming G20? | Addressed | Direct | The reply states that the UK does not engage with the Russians in that way and has not for years, which effectively rules out a handshake with Lavrov at the G20. It answers the yes/no question with a stated reason, though it speaks of 'the Russians' generally rather than naming Lavrov. Statement 2 is rhetorical and does not bear on the handshake question. |