On Wednesday afternoon, ambassador Randy Evans spoke with the press about the statement that had sparked some controversy on Monday. In fact, his press release urged Luxembourg to condemn the annexation of Crimea in talks with Dimitri Medvedev. In response, deputy prime minister Etienne Schneider expressed his astonishment that the USA's embassy would put such pressure on a different country's leadership.
The ambassador reacted on Wednesday, telling the press that the US is worried about the Crimea and that the US and Luxembourg actually have a communal position on the Crimea annexation.
He then went on to voice suspicion regarding Russia's timing of the visit, which coincides with the anniversary of the annexation. He believes that Russia minutiously selected the timing of Medvedev's visit in order to have an opportunity to gain good press. As a result, Luxembourg hosted the Russian prime minister on the 5th anniversary of the annexation.
He also stressed that he had no particular intent with his statement, explaining that the embassy publishes statements about most political visits.
US diplomats are putting Luxembourg under pressure over visit by Russian PM Medvedev
Bettel and Medvedev had fruitful discussions, including of prickly subjects
Xavier Bettel welcomes Dimitri Medwedew at Findel aiport
Russian visit concludes
