Moscow has received with deep concern the news of the coup in the Republic of Honduras carried out by the country's armed forces on June 28. The forcible removal from power of a lawfully elected president is a direct violation of the Honduran constitution and a gross outrage upon the fundamental norms of democracy.

Russia strongly condemns these actions and calls for the early restoration of law and order in Honduras. All actions by the participants of the political process in the country must be within the constitutional and legal field. Any other path is fraught with further destabilization of the situation.

Russia welcomes efforts, including those by regional organizations and associations of the countries of Latin America, aimed at devising ways to exit the critical situation within the framework of international law.

June 29, 2009