NATO should not be mistaken, as Russia will adequately respond to the aggression of the alliance or its member states, using all means to ensure security, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told Sputnik.
"Our opponents should not be mistaken. In the event of aggressive actions by NATO or individual member states against our country, adequate countermeasures will be taken in full compliance with Russia's sovereign right to self-defense and the use of any means to ensure its security, as enshrined in the UN Charter. And no one will be safe either beyond the Atlantic Ocean or the English Channel," Lavrov said.
If Western long-range weapons are used by Kiev to strike deep into Russian territory, then "this will mean that not only Ukraine, but also NATO countries are fighting Russia openly, no longer embarrassed to hide facts about 'mercenaries,' 'volunteers,' instructors and other guys 'under a false flag,'" the minister added.
Kiev is putting pressure on UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres to take Ukraine's side in the conflict with Russia by adding him to the Ukrainian neo-Nazi website Myrotvorets (Peacemaker), Lavrov told Sputnik.
"As far as we know, the UN secretary general was subsequently excluded from the database of the Ukrainian website Myrotvorets. However, the fact remains that Kiev, demonstrating its inherent open disrespect for the UN Charter, continues to put pressure on Antonio Guterres to force him and the entire UN Secretariat to finally take the side of Ukraine and its Western sponsors," he said.
Such a step is a direct violation of the UN Charter, namely paragraph 2 of Article 100 of the document, "which prohibits any member state from attempting to influence the secretary general or other UN representatives," the diplomat added.
Future of Relations With US
The anti-Russian US policy is based on the domestic political consensus in Washington, the Russian top diplomat said.
"The anti-Russian and Russophobic orientation of US policy is based on the domestic political consensus and has a bipartisan nature. Ukraine is seen as a key element of the hybrid war unleashed against Russia," Lavrov said, answering a question about the future of relations between the two countries in connection with the US election.
It is hard to take seriously what both candidates are saying in the heat of the election campaign, Lavrov added.
"Our position, as formulated by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is well known — we are ready for an equal dialogue if and when the American side demonstrates the seriousness of its intentions to negotiate honestly, based on the recognition of Russian national interests and the principle of reciprocity," the minister said.
Moscow and Washington, as the largest nuclear powers, bear a special responsibility, which predetermines the need for diplomatic contacts and the work of embassies, Lavrov told Sputnik.
"We remember that our two countries, as the largest nuclear powers, bear special responsibility for the fate of the world. This predetermines the need for diplomatic contacts and the functioning of embassies in Moscow and Washington," Lavrov said.
Despite a deep crisis in relations between Russia and the US, Washington is still not ready to rupture ties, the minister added.
He noted that the necessary procedures for appointing a new Russian ambassador to the United States have begun.
"If this approach continues, a new Russian ambassador to the United States will be appointed in a timely manner. The necessary internal procedures have been initiated," Lavrov said.
BRICS
Russia continues to coordinate the work on the list of BRICS partner states and plans to publish its results by year-end, Lavrov said.
"Its parameters [categories of BRICS partner states] were approved at the [BRICS Kazan] summit. As chair, we continue to coordinate work in this area. We expect to publish its results during our presidency by the end of this year," Lavrov said.
The summit in Kazan has become one of the landmark international events not only this year, but also recently, Lavrov added.
"Its successful holding has clearly highlighted the senselessness of attempts to isolate Russia internationally, undertaken by our foreign policy opponents as one of the elements of pressure on our country," Lavrov said.
On the Situation in Gaza
Moscow intends to continue working on solving the Palestinian problem and will use the potential of the BRICS, according to Lavrov.
"The crisis around the Gaza Strip has become the catalyst for all these processes. The sooner it is resolved, the sooner the situation in the Middle East as a whole will begin to improve. Therefore, we will continue to work collectively with our partners in the interests of a just solution to the Palestinian problem on a generally recognized international legal basis. We will make the most of the potential of the BRICS," Lavrov said.
From the first days of this crisis, which began in October 2023, the BRICS countries have stood in solidarity in defense of the rights of the civilian population of the Gaza Strip, agreeing on November 21, 2023, at an emergency summit of the association, a call for an early ceasefire and humanitarian assistance to the victims, Lavrov recalled.
"This common position was confirmed in the declaration of the Kazan summit, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas took part in its expanded part," Lavrov said.
The Russian foreign minister believes that the resolution of the crisis around the Gaza Strip will help improve the situation in the Middle East.
US efforts to negotiate an agreement between Israel and Hamas regarding a ceasefire and an exchange of prisoners have reached a dead end, and the situation in Gaza continues to deteriorate, the minister said, adding that the fire of a regional conflict is flaring up and advancing to Lebanon, Syria, and even Iran.
"The catalyst for all these processes was the crisis around the Gaza Strip. The sooner it is resolved, the sooner the situation in the Middle East as a whole will begin to improve," Lavrov said.