Escalation of Topic of Russia's Defeat Reflects West's Agony & Hysteria, Russian FM Tells Sputnik
11:14 19.04.2024 (Updated: 14:14 19.04.2024)
© Sputnik . Alexey Filippov
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MOSCOW (Sputnik) - On Friday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov was interviewed by Margarita Simonyan, editor-in-chief of Sputnik's parent company Rossiya Segodnya, and her colleagues from the radio stations Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva.
The West's statements about the impending loss of its influence and the restructuring of the world by Russia and its partners reflect an understanding of the ongoing formation of a new and just world order, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
"The escalation of this theme of [strategically] defeating Russia, the emphasis on the existential significance of this defeat for the future of the West, reflects not so much a bellicose mood as agony and hysteria," Lavrov said in an interview with Russian radio broadcasters Sputnik, Komsomolskaya Pravda and Govorit Moskva.
Besides fearing the loss of hegemony, the West asserts the dominance of the United States, indicating that everyone must adhere to its commands, he added.
"In addition to this fear for the loss of hegemony, they are still very openly, perhaps without even suspecting themselves that they are being frank in this way, they make it clear that the United States is in charge, and they all fell are under the [influence of] United States," Lavrov told Sputnik.
Russia is not scared by talks of inflicting strategic defeat upon it, which are heard in the West; such rhetoric, Lavrov noted.
"If they put us in a situation where they simply need to strategically defeat us, essentially destroy us as a global player, they cannot understand that we will not be intimidated," Lavrov highlighted.
The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that unlike Russia, those countries that voice threats against Russia would themselves be scared if similar threats were directed toward them "with the same fervor and vehemence."
"And this has strengthened us; let them draw conclusions from this historical lesson," the minister added.
On Possibility of Peace Talks With Ukraine
Speaking about possibility of peace talks with Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Minister said that Russia always prefers negotiations to quarrels.
"As [Russian] President [Vladimir Putin] constantly reminds us, we always prefer negotiations to fights and wars," Lavrov said.
The minister noted that the so-called 'Zelensky Formula' cannot as a foundation for resolving the Ukrainian conflict because it does not take into account Russia's demands. Larove remarked that Russia respects China's position, whose representatives have expressed support for convening a conference acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine.
"This means we should not start with the 'Zelensky Formula' at all; it should be put aside completely... If they want, as the president said, let's discuss the principles on which we are willing to negotiate," Lavrov emphasized.
At the same time, he added that Switzerland, which has turned from a neutral country into "openly hostile" one, is not suitable for negotiations on the Ukrainian conflict.
So, should negotiations with Kiev commence, Russia has no intention of halting hostilities in Ukraine.
"We are ready [for negotiations]. But unlike the Istanbul story, we will not make any pauses in hostilities during the negotiations. The process must go on. Secondly, of course, the realities on the ground have become different, and significantly different," Lavrov said.
Russia was ready to make serious security guarantees for Ukraine at talks held in Istanbul, but the realities have changed and this "must be taken into account," the minister added.
Lavrov emphasized Russia's strong belief in the necessity to persist with the ongoing military operation in Ukraine.
"We are completely convinced that we need to continue the special military operation," Lavrov said, adding that Russia is dealing with Ukraine precisely because of a threat being posed before it and has no faith in the Ukrainian leadership.
The US has failed to reach its military goals everywhere, the minister said.
On Western Sanctions Against Russia
The West mindlessly escalates sanctions against Russia, without considering the outcomes of such measures, Lavrov said.
"They are completely mindlessly escalating these sanctions, without even considering the consequences. And the consequences were already evident from the very beginning, even before the special military operation, when 'Crimean' sanctions and others were in effect... We have decided not to depend on them in all areas where they can restrict our development, and preferably in all other areas," the Russian top diplomat said.
On Speculation of Russia's 'Plans' to Attack Europe
Moscow has no reason to launch attacks on European nations; their apprehensions of purported threats from Russia are unfounded, Lavrov remarked.
"[European countries] just frighten and intimidate ... There is no point in us attacking them. If they themselves wanted to bring NATO’s borders closer to our borders, we will not allow this to happen in Ukraine," Lavrov said.
On Iran-Israel Tensions
Russia has conveyed to Israel via diplomatic channels that Iran does not desire escalation, and Russia hopes that Israel shares this sentiment, stated Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
"There have been telephone contacts between the leadership of Russia and Iran, our representatives, and the Israelis. We have very clearly established in these conversations and conveyed to the Israelis that Iran does not want escalation. It cannot refrain from responding to the most flagrant violation of international law and the status of diplomatic representation, but it does not seek escalation," Lavrov said.
Lavrov noted that all experts interpreted Iran's response to Israel's strike on the Iranian consulate in Damascus in early April in the same way.
"I hope I am not mistaken that the recent strike by Israel on targets in Isfahan was another response to the response," the minister added.
According to American media reports, Israel carried out a "limited" retaliatory strike on targets in Iran overnight on Friday. Explosions were reported in the area near the city of Isfahan. The Iranian state agency IRIB reported that in several provinces of the country, air defense systems were activated against approaching drones.
The Tasnim agency stated that nuclear facilities in the Isfahan province were completely secure. Three Iranian officials confirmed to The New York Times that the strikes targeted an airbase near Isfahan. The strike occurred nearly a week after Iran's massive missile attack on Israel.
Commenting on talks about Iran changing its nuclear doctrine, Lavrov said they are a "desire" to shift focus from Israel's operations in Gaza to threats from Tehran.
"They want to attribute to Iran, among other things, an attack using nuclear weapons, which it does not possess - this is confirmed by the IAEA. Iran is the most inspected country among the participants of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. Even a fatwa exists in Iran - it is a postulate of the Supreme Leader that nuclear weapons are prohibited in Iran. Iran does not need to engage in this after responding to the unacceptable strike on the Iranian consulate," Lavrov said.
Earlier, as reported by Iranian media, Ahmad Haghtalab, the commander of units of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps responsible for the security of Iranian nuclear facilities, stated that the Iranian side may reconsider and deviate from its previously declared nuclear policy.
