On the eve of the Day of the Diplomatic Worker, which is celebrated in Russia on February 10, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of our country, Sergei Lavrov, gave an interview to the Rossiya-24 TV channel and RIA Novosti.
Photo: REUTERS
On the eve of the Day of the Diplomatic Worker, which is celebrated in Russia on February 10, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of our country, Sergei Lavrov, gave an interview to the Rossiya-24 TV channel and RIA Novosti. It was broadcast live with simultaneous translation into English, French and Spanish.
“KP” presents the most important theses of the minister’s responses.
About the current moment
The escalation of the conflict in Ukraine from the West is evident, and the framework is not visible… We are in the center of a geopolitical battle. We see how all of NATO is fighting against us.
Moscow seeks to push Ukrainian troops to a distance that is safe for the territory of the Russian Federation. And the more long-range weapons are supplied to the Kyiv regime by the West, the further they must move away from Russian territories.
About the end of SVO
The task of our military is to do their job, minimize losses and not think about when it will all end … It is not the time factor that is important, but the factor of being, the factor of the results that we will get. provide for our people and those people who want to remain a part of Russian culture.
We will emerge stronger from the current geopolitical situation and will be able to defend ourselves even more effectively in any situation.
On attempts to resolve the “Russian question”
The West seeks to inflict such a defeat on Russia that it cannot recover for decades. What is this, if not an attempt to solve the “Russian question”?
About neighbors and partners
The West is now looking at Moldova for the role of the “next Ukraine”, its president is ready for almost anything.
I have no doubt that the West would like to make Georgia an irritant for Russia. But the Georgian government, in response to previous pressure from the West with demands for sanctions against the Russian Federation, is guided by national interests.
The attempts of the West to fight Russia with its neighbors do not find a response in the countries of Central Asia.
Relations between Russia and China are of a higher quality than a military alliance, they have no restrictions, limits, or taboo subjects… There are already enough people who want to scare us with China. I see this as a game related to the desire to prevent us from cooperating and coordinating in the economy or in international affairs.
On the West and Western politicians
Zelensky himself does not feel like an independent figure, he is being manipulated.
[Канцлер ФРГ] Scholz, who has vowed not to send planes to Ukraine, is known for frequently changing his position.
[Зам. госсекретаря США] Nuland made a confession, rejoicing at the explosions at Nord Streams; His words speak of the direct fate of the United States in the terrorist attack.
These are colonial traditions. [США] – subjugate everyone and live at the expense of others… At the same time, economically repress Europe, there is no doubt that this was part of the plans of those who live aware of the exclusivity of their country and the need to make and leave it sovereign Worldwide.
The United States seized the European Union and deprived it of the last signs of independence.
about democracy
They are [западные политики] – great democrats, as you know. But they understand democracy as their right to impose their understanding of democracy on everyone else. As soon as you talk to them about the need for democratic approaches in international affairs, they are not enthusiastic.
[На втором международном саммите демократий] a simple task will be formulated: all democrats must fight against all autocrats. We, China, North Korea, Syria, Venezuela, this circle of countries that refuse to obey the West in its demands, have been declared autocrats. And the Americans themselves seem to be democrats.
On the tasks of Russian diplomacy
We will continue to actively promote our line and clarify the truth in the international arena.
The thesis that Russia refuses to negotiate on Ukraine is a lie, and we will continue to refute this.
Moscow is preparing materials for the anniversary of the special operation so that it is not reduced to an anti-Russian coven from the West.
About personal position
I am definitely for the world. I am for peace. I don’t remember who said: “If you want peace, prepare for war.” I do not share this philosophy. I share the idea, which I would formulate as follows: “If you want peace, always be ready to defend yourself.”
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