Of Sergey Lavrov

Source: Panorama
In an exclusive interview with “Panorama” on newsstands on 3 maggio, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, almost 15 years close collaborator of Putin, accuses the United States, Great Britain and a "small but very aggressive" group of Russophobic European countries. They have to resign themselves, dice, the world is no longer theirs. And he gives his version of the Salisbury poisonings and the use of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime. «The G7 is now inadequate, a model for the future is the Moscow-Beijing agreement".
Lavrov, in the interview he talks about all the main issues that have seen Russia as a protagonist in recent months, from the poisonings of spies in England to Syria, from the United States to relations with Europe.
Here are some passages from the long interview which can be read in full in the weekly:

Unilateral actions by the United States

«The situation in the world is becoming increasingly tense and less predictable… this situation is largely the result of the continuous unilateral actions of the United States and some Western states that the United States has crushed in its own positions.
We are talking about a small group of countries that do not represent a significant part of humanity but that, in an attempt to maintain a medieval dominance in world affairs, it hinders an objective process of formation of a polycentric international system … it creates an atmosphere of mistrust and strategic uncertainty and freezes channels of dialogue. It gives rise to situations in which a bluff or a mistake can cost everyone dearly.".
Russia would like to rely on the triumph of common sense…» says Lavrov again, «but this common sense implies the ability of the leaders of the whole West to act in a responsible and predictable way, to strictly respect international law, based on the Charter of the United Nations. In recent times we have been forced to doubt this ability more and more".

Chemical attack in Syria

«As for Duma, il 7 April there was no chemical attack", dice Lavrov. «Instead there was yet another shameless provocation, created by those who have no interest in Syria returning to peace". «We don't ask anyone to take our word for it. Therefore, from the beginning we have openly expressed our support for an investigation into the incident carried out by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (Opaque). An investigation that could also have involved national experts from the United States and France. Instead, at a time when the OPCW team was already in Beirut and was ready to go to Damascus, and then the Duma, Syria – Sovereign state, member of the United Nations – suffered an attack".

The Salisbury Poisoning

«Il 4 In March, the tragic accident involving Serghei and Julia Skripal occurred in the United Kingdom. London claims a nerve agent was used. Since the accident, the British side – I underline, in violation of its international obligations – refuses to provide us with information on the assistance provided to victims, on the progress of the investigation, does not allow us consular access, mandatory when it comes to Russian citizens" declares Lavrov.
«London also, he acted in contempt not only of the norms of international law, but also of elementary ethics and simply common sense. Without showing evidence and before the British investigation carried out by Scotland Yard was completed and before having a clear picture, the British government blamed Russia and launched a large-scale anti-Russian political and media campaign. Our proposals to carry out a joint investigation were ignored, our legitimate requests that the facts be presented, including samples of the substance used".

Europe

«We do not interfere in ongoing internal political discussions, we do not express preferences regarding the results of elections in the various states of the European Union. We sincerely wish European countries to successfully overcome existing problems. We are ready to interact with all politicians who show the same interest as us and aim to develop a pragmatic dialogue with our country" declares Lavrov regarding relations between Russia and European countries. "Unfortunately, we must note that a group is active within the European Union, small but very aggressive, of Russophobic countries which is obstructing with all its might the return of Russia-EU relations to the path of progressive development and playing the anti-Russian card for strictly selfish purposes. This line does not contribute to improving the situation on our continent, it hinders the convergence of efforts to effectively address problems common to Russia and the EU" he adds.

The new international order

«We are guarantors of global stability, we prevent the adoption by the Security Council of resolutions invented to justify plans for the unilateral use of force against unwelcome regimes, in violation of the Charter of the United Nations" declares Lavrov. regarding international balances. «I note with satisfaction that we are not alone in our efforts. In particular, I would like to underline the important role of interaction a 360 degrees between Russia and China as a model for power relations in the 21st century".

Relations with the USA

As regards bilateral relations between Moscow and Washington, the Russian Foreign Minister maintains that «the situation of relations continues to deteriorate. Even when some positive impulses come from the president of the United States, these are completely canceled out by an exceptional Russophobia of the American establishment which presents our country as a threat and declares itself in favor of a systematic containment of Russia which involves the application of sanctions and other instruments of pressure. All this, naturally, arises from internal political disagreements in Washington and has nothing to do with reality".