MOSCOW. Aug 18 (Interfax) - Russia will provide assistance in investigating the terror attack carried out in Barcelona if Spain sends a formal request, Leonid Slutsky, the State Duma's international affairs committee chairman, said.
"I am convinced that our country will provide all necessary assistance and support for this heinous crime to be investigated if so requested by the Spanish law enforcement authorities," Slutsky told reporters on Thursday.
Slutsky went on to draw attention to the fact that terrorists chose crowded, busy places for their attacks and had recently stuck to a certain tactics, acting without using any explosives or weapons.
"Another act of terror, another leading European tourist center. This time, it is Barcelona. The pattern is the same almost everywhere - running over peaceful and unarmed people," he said.
It is impossible to get accustomed to news like this since "one always feels pain and devastation", Slutsky said.
"And there is always one question: How many more innocent victims will it take before Western politicians understand that international terrorism won't stop and that playing games with it for the sake of one's own geopolitical interests is extremely dangerous? The world should be fighting as one against terrorists, acting in a concerted effort," he said.
Russia's proposal of setting up a united international antiterrorist coalition remains in force, he went on. "And life shows that everything is still relevant, unfortunately," Slutsky added.
As reported earlier on Thursday, a small white van ploughed though a crowd of pedestrians in downtown Barcelona. Thirteen people were killed and several dozens injured.