Russia says expects Bolivian authorities to handle situation after failed coup

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia expects Bolivian authorities to be able to settle the situation after a failed military coup, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Thursday.

Speaking at a press briefing in Moscow, Peskov expressed hope for the speedy restoration of calm in accordance with the law, without outside interference.

"We wish the restoration of calm in this country as soon as possible. We hope that it will be so. But it is very important, of course, that there be no interference by third countries in what happened in Bolivia," he said.

Separately, the Foreign Ministry expressedd "full, unwavering support" for President Luis Arce and strongly condemned the coup attempt.

Bolivian armed forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz and a general was arrested after President Luis Arce blasted a coup attempt against the government Wednesday evening. Leaders from around the world had blasted the army’s actions as illegal.

Besides a spiralling economic crisis, tensions are building in the South American country ahead of general elections in 2025, with leftist ex-President Evo Morales planning to run against former ally Arce.

Asked about Russia's relations with the West, Peskov said Moscow is considering all options of countermeasures to sanctions, including a possibility of lowering the level of diplomatic relations.

"This is the standard diplomatic practice of a state that faces unfriendly and even hostile manifestations. As the involvement of the countries of the collective West and the US in the Ukrainian conflict grows, of course, Russia cannot but consider various options for responding to such hostile interference," he said

"When Western countries openly declare that their main task is to ensure Russia's strategic defeat on the battlefield, of course, this cannot but provoke a response from Moscow."​​​​​​​