UPDATE - Russia says it expects Bolivian authorities to handle situation after failed coup

ADDS STATEMENT FROM RUSSIAN MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

By Elena Teslova and Yasin Gungor

MOSCOW (AA) - Russia expects authorities in Bolivia to be able to settle the situation after a failed military coup, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said 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 for a quick restoration of calm in this country. We hope that will be the case. But of course, it is very important that there is no interference from third countries in what is happening in Bolivia," he said.

Separately, the Foreign Ministry expressed Russia’s "full, unwavering support" for President Luis Arce and strongly condemned the coup attempt.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke by phone with his Bolivian counterpart Celinda Sosa Lunda. He strongly condemned the attempted military coup d'etat. Lavrov emphasized the importance of consolidating all constructively minded forces and structures of the Bolivian society in the interest of further stable development of the country and reaffirmed Moscow's solidarity with Bolivia, considering it a reliable strategic partner of Russia.

Bolivian armed forces pulled back from the presidential palace in La Paz and a general was arrested after President Arce blasted a coup attempt against the government Wednesday evening. Leaders from around the world also condemned the coup attempt, calling the Bolivian army's actions 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 his 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 reducing 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."​​​​​​​