🇷🇺 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s #interview with TV channels RT, NBC News, ABC News, ITN, France 24 and the PRC Media Corporation, Moscow, March 3, 2022.
❓ #Question: Unprecedented sanctions pressure is being exerted on the Russian Federation due to the recent events, primarily “on the ground.” Has Russia changed its position? Does the world hear what Russia is saying? What do you think about the ongoing talks in Belarus? What should we expect from the next round?
💬 Sergey #Lavrov: This is a comprehensive question. You have touched on many issues. I am sure the world is listening to Russia, but it is difficult to say at this point the extent to which it hears us. The majority may understand what this is about, but they have to obey the toughest dictate.
Speaking frankly, it is of course bad when people die: military servicemen and civilians (women and children). This has been happening in #Donbass for eight years and is now happening during Russia’s special military operation. The goal of this operation is to stop any war that could take place on Ukrainian territory or that could start from there.
I have no doubt that a solution will be found. Our minimum terms are well known. They are being discussed, in part, at the talks with Ukrainian representatives. Talks were held in Gomel and new talks were supposed to take place today. However, the Kiev team has again found some reason to postpone the talks. There is no doubt whatsoever that #Ukraine receives instructions from Washington; they are not independent at all. Nevertheless, talks must take place. I will not go into the details of the agenda; they are well known. We can no longer tolerate the threat of direct attack on the Russian Federation from the territory of Ukraine. Such threats are fixed in the current doctrinal documents of the Kiev regime. One of the main reasons is Ukraine’s unrelenting desire to join NATO and the reluctance of the Alliance’s members to fulfil their commitments that they do not take any measures that would enhance their security at the expense of the security of others.
In the final analysis, this is not just the situation in Ukraine, the efforts to demilitarise and de-Nazify it, to prevent the continuing manifestations of genocide on its territory, putting a stop to any violence and ensuring for the Ukrainians an opportunity to decide their destiny themselves; no, it is the world order that is at stake. This is for a reason that the West is avoiding, in any way it can, giving a response to our implicit, clear-cut proposals on the security system in Europe that rely on existing agreements.
I mentioned the core principle endorsed at the top level by the OSCE which underlies #RussiaNATO relations. Each country has the right to choose alliances. However, no country can strengthen its security at the expense of the security of any other country. No organisation can claim dominance in the Euro-Atlantic space, which is exactly what NATO is doing now. The West strengthening its security at the expense of Russia’s security has become proverbial. We are being told “not to worry because Ukraine or any other country joining NATO will not pose a threat to Russia’s security.” Why should the West tell us what our security needs are? Just like the Americans decided for Germany and Europe what was needed for European energy security. They decided that Nord Stream 2 was something that the EU did not need for its energy security, which would be ensured instead by supplies of liquefied natural gas from the United States at multiple times the cost.
The fact is that we are being listened to, but not heard. They are trying in every possible way to impose on us their idea of how to continue living in Europe.
The comparison suggests itself. In their time, Napoleon and Hitler set out to subjugate Europe. Now, the United States has taken it over. There was no question about #NATO, and the European Union was shown its place. The story of Nord Stream 2 vividly illustrated the EU’s actual place in the international arena.
❓ #Question: Unprecedented sanctions pressure is being exerted on the Russian Federation due to the recent events, primarily “on the ground.” Has Russia changed its position? Does the world hear what Russia is saying? What do you think about the ongoing talks in Belarus? What should we expect from the next round?
💬 Sergey #Lavrov: This is a comprehensive question. You have touched on many issues. I am sure the world is listening to Russia, but it is difficult to say at this point the extent to which it hears us. The majority may understand what this is about, but they have to obey the toughest dictate.
Speaking frankly, it is of course bad when people die: military servicemen and civilians (women and children). This has been happening in #Donbass for eight years and is now happening during Russia’s special military operation. The goal of this operation is to stop any war that could take place on Ukrainian territory or that could start from there.
I have no doubt that a solution will be found. Our minimum terms are well known. They are being discussed, in part, at the talks with Ukrainian representatives. Talks were held in Gomel and new talks were supposed to take place today. However, the Kiev team has again found some reason to postpone the talks. There is no doubt whatsoever that #Ukraine receives instructions from Washington; they are not independent at all. Nevertheless, talks must take place. I will not go into the details of the agenda; they are well known. We can no longer tolerate the threat of direct attack on the Russian Federation from the territory of Ukraine. Such threats are fixed in the current doctrinal documents of the Kiev regime. One of the main reasons is Ukraine’s unrelenting desire to join NATO and the reluctance of the Alliance’s members to fulfil their commitments that they do not take any measures that would enhance their security at the expense of the security of others.
In the final analysis, this is not just the situation in Ukraine, the efforts to demilitarise and de-Nazify it, to prevent the continuing manifestations of genocide on its territory, putting a stop to any violence and ensuring for the Ukrainians an opportunity to decide their destiny themselves; no, it is the world order that is at stake. This is for a reason that the West is avoiding, in any way it can, giving a response to our implicit, clear-cut proposals on the security system in Europe that rely on existing agreements.
I mentioned the core principle endorsed at the top level by the OSCE which underlies #RussiaNATO relations. Each country has the right to choose alliances. However, no country can strengthen its security at the expense of the security of any other country. No organisation can claim dominance in the Euro-Atlantic space, which is exactly what NATO is doing now. The West strengthening its security at the expense of Russia’s security has become proverbial. We are being told “not to worry because Ukraine or any other country joining NATO will not pose a threat to Russia’s security.” Why should the West tell us what our security needs are? Just like the Americans decided for Germany and Europe what was needed for European energy security. They decided that Nord Stream 2 was something that the EU did not need for its energy security, which would be ensured instead by supplies of liquefied natural gas from the United States at multiple times the cost.
The fact is that we are being listened to, but not heard. They are trying in every possible way to impose on us their idea of how to continue living in Europe.
The comparison suggests itself. In their time, Napoleon and Hitler set out to subjugate Europe. Now, the United States has taken it over. There was no question about #NATO, and the European Union was shown its place. The story of Nord Stream 2 vividly illustrated the EU’s actual place in the international arena.
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🕯 On March 24, 1999, the #US and its #NATO allies began a 78-day armed aggression against the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia.
▪️ NATO conducted over 35,000 air raids, dropping some 3,000 cruise missiles and over 10,000 tonnes of bombs on the country. In TNT equivalent, this is five times the yield of the nuclear bomb, which the Americans dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
▪️ Over 2,000 Serbs, including children, women and elderly people, were killed in the bombing raids. They were later cynically described as “collateral damage.”
▪️ NATO’s aggression against Yugoslavia in 1999 was the first armed invasion of a sovereign state in Europe since 1945. That tragic contribution to European history was made by the “purely defensive” alliance.
▪️ NATO conducted over 35,000 air raids, dropping some 3,000 cruise missiles and over 10,000 tonnes of bombs on the country. In TNT equivalent, this is five times the yield of the nuclear bomb, which the Americans dropped on Hiroshima in 1945.
▪️ Over 2,000 Serbs, including children, women and elderly people, were killed in the bombing raids. They were later cynically described as “collateral damage.”
▪️ NATO’s aggression against Yugoslavia in 1999 was the first armed invasion of a sovereign state in Europe since 1945. That tragic contribution to European history was made by the “purely defensive” alliance.
🎙️ Statements by the Minister of Defence of the Russian Federation General of the Army Sergei Shoigu
Key points:
▪️ As part of a special military operation, a large and difficult combat work is underway. All types and branches of the Russian Armed Forces, including the nuclear triad, fulfill the task set by the President.
▪️ Russia is at war not so much with the Ukrainian army as with the collective West. The entire NATO satellite constellation is working against the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
▪️ The Western command sits in Kiev and directs the military operation in Ukraine.
▪️ Slightly more than a thousand foreign mercenaries are fighting on the side of Kiev. More than 70 military and 200 civilian satellites of the West are working to reconnoiter the location of Russian military groups.
▪️ As part of the mobilization, about 1% of the mobilization resource will be used. Those who have served will fall under the mobilization, primarily with combat experience, having a military speciality. Partial mobilization will not affect students and university students.
▪️ The losses of the Russian Federation amount to 5,937 people dead, the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine amounted to more than 100 thousand people killed and wounded.
▪️ The line of contact in the special operation zone is more than 1000 km, it must be controlled.
#SMO #Russia #Ukraine #NATO
Key points:
▪️ As part of a special military operation, a large and difficult combat work is underway. All types and branches of the Russian Armed Forces, including the nuclear triad, fulfill the task set by the President.
▪️ Russia is at war not so much with the Ukrainian army as with the collective West. The entire NATO satellite constellation is working against the Russian Federation in Ukraine.
▪️ The Western command sits in Kiev and directs the military operation in Ukraine.
▪️ Slightly more than a thousand foreign mercenaries are fighting on the side of Kiev. More than 70 military and 200 civilian satellites of the West are working to reconnoiter the location of Russian military groups.
▪️ As part of the mobilization, about 1% of the mobilization resource will be used. Those who have served will fall under the mobilization, primarily with combat experience, having a military speciality. Partial mobilization will not affect students and university students.
▪️ The losses of the Russian Federation amount to 5,937 people dead, the losses of the Armed Forces of Ukraine amounted to more than 100 thousand people killed and wounded.
▪️ The line of contact in the special operation zone is more than 1000 km, it must be controlled.
#SMO #Russia #Ukraine #NATO
Forwarded from Embassy of Russia in Singapore
He said this in connection with a settlement of the problem in Ukraine. After the special military operation began, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian said publicly that Russia must remember that France has nuclear weapons too. That statement was not provoked in any way. We never as much as mentioned this subject. It was Vladimir Zelensky who started speaking about it. All of you remember what Liz Truss said when asked if she would be ready to push the nuclear button.
📌 As for Russia, President Vladimir #Putin and other Kremlin officials have said on numerous occasions that we have a doctrine on the Basic Principles of the State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence. It is a public document and clearly sets out everything in this connection. I suggest that you take another look at circumstances under which we would use nuclear weapons, which are absolutely clearly outlined.
❓ In your remarks at a meeting of the UN Security Council you, for the first time, openly said that the Western countries are parties to the conflict in Ukraine. Does this mean that we now regard them as potential enemies? Will this change the structure of relations with these countries? Josep Borrell has said that, so far, the EU is not considering sending troops there.
My second question has to do with the doctrine you mentioned. According to it, if the accession referendums are successful, Russia will have grounds to use nuclear weapons in case of attacks at its territory. The United States has warned of an unavoidable – but so far unspecified – strike in this event. Does Moscow regard such threats seriously? Is the conflict in Ukraine moving towards a third world war, as President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic fears?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: I would not like to make gloomy forecasts now. The entire state territory of Russia that has already been or can additionally be formalised in the constitution of our country will certainly benefit from full protection. How can it be otherwise? All the laws, doctrines, concepts, and strategies of the Russian Federation are applicable throughout its territory.
I haven’t heard that the United States is threatening to carry out a strike of any kind. I know that US President Joe Biden has said that Russia can expect new “sanctions from hell” or from any other place if the referendums are held and their results are accepted. If they really threatened an inevitable strike against Russia, I would like to see the text. I didn’t know that the United States and Ukraine have become allies linked by this dangerous “chain.”
As for the legal aspects of Western involvement in this war, anyone who at least sometimes reads the news knows what is happening. Weapons are being openly pumped into Ukraine. Zelensky demands more weapons every day from either Germany or Israel. He has also criticised Israel for sending fewer weapons than Ukraine has asked for or arguing that it is short on weapons it needs by itself. Kiev is being supplied with satellite intelligence. The West is using approximately 70 military satellites and 200 private satellites to support the Ukrainian armed forces and nationalist battalions. A Ukrainian commander has said recently when commenting on the use of US-made weapons on the battlefield that the Americans have the right of veto regarding targets.
⁉️ What is this if not direct involvement when they target us with lethal weapons and participate in the war?
Getting back to the legal aspect, the United States, #NATO, and the #EU say that they are not parties to the conflict, which brings us to a certain convention. There are the 1907 Hague Conventions – Convention with Respect to the Laws and Customs of War on Land and Convention Relating to the Legal Status of Enemy Merchant Ships at the Outbreak of Hostilities. They have not been terminated and are still effective. They have to do with neutral powers’ obligations during wars on sea and land.
📌 As for Russia, President Vladimir #Putin and other Kremlin officials have said on numerous occasions that we have a doctrine on the Basic Principles of the State Policy of the Russian Federation on Nuclear Deterrence. It is a public document and clearly sets out everything in this connection. I suggest that you take another look at circumstances under which we would use nuclear weapons, which are absolutely clearly outlined.
❓ In your remarks at a meeting of the UN Security Council you, for the first time, openly said that the Western countries are parties to the conflict in Ukraine. Does this mean that we now regard them as potential enemies? Will this change the structure of relations with these countries? Josep Borrell has said that, so far, the EU is not considering sending troops there.
My second question has to do with the doctrine you mentioned. According to it, if the accession referendums are successful, Russia will have grounds to use nuclear weapons in case of attacks at its territory. The United States has warned of an unavoidable – but so far unspecified – strike in this event. Does Moscow regard such threats seriously? Is the conflict in Ukraine moving towards a third world war, as President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic fears?
💬 Sergey Lavrov: I would not like to make gloomy forecasts now. The entire state territory of Russia that has already been or can additionally be formalised in the constitution of our country will certainly benefit from full protection. How can it be otherwise? All the laws, doctrines, concepts, and strategies of the Russian Federation are applicable throughout its territory.
I haven’t heard that the United States is threatening to carry out a strike of any kind. I know that US President Joe Biden has said that Russia can expect new “sanctions from hell” or from any other place if the referendums are held and their results are accepted. If they really threatened an inevitable strike against Russia, I would like to see the text. I didn’t know that the United States and Ukraine have become allies linked by this dangerous “chain.”
As for the legal aspects of Western involvement in this war, anyone who at least sometimes reads the news knows what is happening. Weapons are being openly pumped into Ukraine. Zelensky demands more weapons every day from either Germany or Israel. He has also criticised Israel for sending fewer weapons than Ukraine has asked for or arguing that it is short on weapons it needs by itself. Kiev is being supplied with satellite intelligence. The West is using approximately 70 military satellites and 200 private satellites to support the Ukrainian armed forces and nationalist battalions. A Ukrainian commander has said recently when commenting on the use of US-made weapons on the battlefield that the Americans have the right of veto regarding targets.
⁉️ What is this if not direct involvement when they target us with lethal weapons and participate in the war?
Getting back to the legal aspect, the United States, #NATO, and the #EU say that they are not parties to the conflict, which brings us to a certain convention. There are the 1907 Hague Conventions – Convention with Respect to the Laws and Customs of War on Land and Convention Relating to the Legal Status of Enemy Merchant Ships at the Outbreak of Hostilities. They have not been terminated and are still effective. They have to do with neutral powers’ obligations during wars on sea and land.
#Opinion by Russian MFA Spokeswoman Maria #Zakharova
💬 Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov recalled a documented incident in the past involving the Nord Stream gas pipeline. This case is well known.
During the planned visual inspection of Nord Stream on November 6, 2015, experts discovered a #NATO Sea Fox mine destroyer in the space between the strings of the pipeline, directly under one of them. This was at the 651 km mark at a depth of 40 metres.
At that time, the Swedish armed forces removed the explosive device. The transportation of gas was resumed after the emergency was handled. NATO claimed that the underwater mine destroyer was allegedly lost during exercises.
💬 Gazprom spokesman Sergei Kupriyanov recalled a documented incident in the past involving the Nord Stream gas pipeline. This case is well known.
During the planned visual inspection of Nord Stream on November 6, 2015, experts discovered a #NATO Sea Fox mine destroyer in the space between the strings of the pipeline, directly under one of them. This was at the 651 km mark at a depth of 40 metres.
At that time, the Swedish armed forces removed the explosive device. The transportation of gas was resumed after the emergency was handled. NATO claimed that the underwater mine destroyer was allegedly lost during exercises.
🎙Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s news conference on European security issues, Moscow, December 1, 2022 (excerpt):
💬It is clear to everybody that US-led NATO is trying to create an explosive situation in the Indo-Pacific Region, just as it did in Europe. They wanted to draw India into their anti-China and anti-Russia alliances, but India refused to join any alliance that was formed as a military-political bloc. New Delhi is only taking part in economic projects offered in the context of Indo-Pacific strategies.
❗️After that, Washington decided to create an Anglo-Saxon military-political bloc, AUKUS, with Australia and the UK, and is trying to lure New Zealand, Japan and South Korea into it.
Read in full👉https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1841407/?lang=en
#AsiaPacific #NATO #AUKUS #NewZealand
💬It is clear to everybody that US-led NATO is trying to create an explosive situation in the Indo-Pacific Region, just as it did in Europe. They wanted to draw India into their anti-China and anti-Russia alliances, but India refused to join any alliance that was formed as a military-political bloc. New Delhi is only taking part in economic projects offered in the context of Indo-Pacific strategies.
❗️After that, Washington decided to create an Anglo-Saxon military-political bloc, AUKUS, with Australia and the UK, and is trying to lure New Zealand, Japan and South Korea into it.
Read in full👉https://www.mid.ru/ru/foreign_policy/news/1841407/?lang=en
#AsiaPacific #NATO #AUKUS #NewZealand
Forwarded from Russian MFA 🇷🇺
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks and answers to media questions during a joint news conference with Foreign Minister of Belarus Sergey Aleinik following the meeting of the Boards of the Foreign Ministries of Russia and Belarus
📍 Minsk, January 19, 2023
Read in full
We share the view that the collective West has actually turned Ukraine into a bridgehead for the continued military-political cultivation of the post-Soviet space and for subversive activities against the Union State. This is creating a direct threat to the vital interests of Russia and Belarus.
☝️ However, in practice this Western blitzkrieg did not succeed either in Russia or Belarus.
#OSCE
I mentioned what was done to suppress information about the flagrant violation of international humanitarian law in the east of Ukraine as a result of the Kiev regime’s activities. The West remained silent on this topic, covering up these misdeeds.
The OSCE principles and its institutions are being discredited by the Special Representative on Freedom of the Media who keeps increasingly silent when it comes to obvious infractions on the part of the Ukrainian regime or its Western sponsors.
#NATO
Not only did the West ignore these warnings and start to develop (militarily) Ukrainian territory, but it also widely encouraged, in theory and practice, the neo-Nazi manifestations of the Ukrainian regime following the coup, which (judging by it all) could not have taken place without the consent (or even support) of the United States.
#Ukraine
All of that unfolded against the background of Zelensky’s ensuing moves who, just like Poroshenko, was elected under the banner of bringing peace to Donbass. Instead of following up on his election promises, he instantly did an about-face and declared in August 2021 that if someone identifies as a Russian in terms of culture, language or traditions, they should clear out for Russia. All of that was unfolding amid total silence on the part of the West, or rather, was encouraged by it.
📍 Minsk, January 19, 2023
Read in full
We share the view that the collective West has actually turned Ukraine into a bridgehead for the continued military-political cultivation of the post-Soviet space and for subversive activities against the Union State. This is creating a direct threat to the vital interests of Russia and Belarus.
☝️ However, in practice this Western blitzkrieg did not succeed either in Russia or Belarus.
#OSCE
I mentioned what was done to suppress information about the flagrant violation of international humanitarian law in the east of Ukraine as a result of the Kiev regime’s activities. The West remained silent on this topic, covering up these misdeeds.
The OSCE principles and its institutions are being discredited by the Special Representative on Freedom of the Media who keeps increasingly silent when it comes to obvious infractions on the part of the Ukrainian regime or its Western sponsors.
#NATO
Not only did the West ignore these warnings and start to develop (militarily) Ukrainian territory, but it also widely encouraged, in theory and practice, the neo-Nazi manifestations of the Ukrainian regime following the coup, which (judging by it all) could not have taken place without the consent (or even support) of the United States.
#Ukraine
All of that unfolded against the background of Zelensky’s ensuing moves who, just like Poroshenko, was elected under the banner of bringing peace to Donbass. Instead of following up on his election promises, he instantly did an about-face and declared in August 2021 that if someone identifies as a Russian in terms of culture, language or traditions, they should clear out for Russia. All of that was unfolding amid total silence on the part of the West, or rather, was encouraged by it.
Forwarded from Russian Embassy in London
🎙Comment by the Russian Embassy on the visit of president of Ukraine Vladimir Zelensky to the United Kingdom
Key points:
▪Vladimir #Zelensky's visit to the #UK during yet another of his European blitz-tours came as no surprise.
▪Over the past few days British officials and mass media have been unanimous in their appeals to local taxpayers to fork out more to satisfy the growing appetites of the Kiev authorities for the sake of “peace”.
▪The Kiev regime, undoubtedly, will not resist the temptation to deploy increasingly advanced long-range weapons, provided by the West, including the requested #NATO fighter aircraft, to sow death, destruction and terror among the civilian population of #Donbass, Crimea and other Russian regions.
▪Evidently, #London its continuing down the road of steady and open entanglement in the Ukraine conflict.
🔗Read in full
Key points:
▪Vladimir #Zelensky's visit to the #UK during yet another of his European blitz-tours came as no surprise.
▪Over the past few days British officials and mass media have been unanimous in their appeals to local taxpayers to fork out more to satisfy the growing appetites of the Kiev authorities for the sake of “peace”.
▪The Kiev regime, undoubtedly, will not resist the temptation to deploy increasingly advanced long-range weapons, provided by the West, including the requested #NATO fighter aircraft, to sow death, destruction and terror among the civilian population of #Donbass, Crimea and other Russian regions.
▪Evidently, #London its continuing down the road of steady and open entanglement in the Ukraine conflict.
🔗Read in full