Russia calls for calm in Sudan Russia calls for calm in Sudan and expressed hope that close bilateral ties would not be threatened, irrespective of who was in power. Huge crowds of Sudanese demanding the ouster of President Omar al-Bashir massed in the centre of Khartoum as the army promised an "important announcement" after months of protests. Maria Zakharova, spokesperson of Russian Foreign Ministry, calls "for solving problems that have emerged in Sudan, through peaceful and democratic means." SOUNDBITES of Maria Zakharova during her press briefing