Sergey Lavrov: “When they say they ‘will stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary,’ the question is: ‘necessary’ for whom? Absolutely not for the Ukrainian people”

Photo: MFA

Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s answers to questions following his participation in the 15th Sir Bani Yas International Forum, Abu Dhabi, November 15, 2024.

Question: President of Russia Vladimir Putin had a telephone conversation with Federal Chancellor of Germany Olaf Scholz for the first time in two years. What does the Russian side think about these initiatives? Can Germany or other Western countries act as an intermediary?

Sergey Lavrov: The Kremlin has made it clear earlier what the Russian side thinks about it. A press release was put out. There’s nothing I can add to it.

I read the reports released by the German Chancellor’s office following the telephone call. They say he condemned Russia’s aggression and that Germany will stand with Ukraine for as long as it takes.

That’s what the Germans and other EU and NATO members are saying publicly anyway. When they say they will stand with Ukraine for as long as necessary, the question is: necessary for whom? Absolutely not for the Ukrainian people.

To reiterate, the Kremlin has provided its assessments in a detailed statement.

Question: Were the forum participants realistic in their assessment of the situation surrounding Ukraine this time compared to last year?

Sergey Lavrov: I did not attend the 2023 forum. That’s my first point. I attended the 2022 forum. Second, the forum prefers not to make the details of its operation public.

I don’t think I will offend the participants by saying that the answer to your question is positive and there’s much more understanding and realism.

Question: The Western press is promoting a narrative that China is allegedly disgruntled by overly close cooperation between Russia and the DPRK, which fact could complicate Russian-Chinese relations. Do you sense this, or is it just another falsehood? If so, what is the goal?

Sergey Lavrov: I have no way of knowing what stands behind this and what their calculus is, but it’s impossible to drive a wedge between Russia and China. We have not received any messages concerning our relations with the DPRK.

We hold regular consultations with Chinese colleagues concerning coordination of our actions with regard to the problems created by the Americans and their allies on and around the Korean Peninsula. That’s all I can share with you. We maintain a very positive dialogue on this subject.

What stands behind it? Western political science circles are speculating that the Ukraine issue should be wrapped up, Russia should be met halfway with regard to some of its legitimate demands and then be used as part of a coalition against China. It’s a straightforward calculus.  It’s the same old approach, “We’re not in favour of team work, we’re looking to divide and to try to dominate.” These attempts are pursuing absolutely untoward goals.

Question: The increasing number of calls are coming from the EU and NATO countries for establishing a dialogue with Moscow at various levels, or at least establishing contacts with Moscow, although not long ago they claimed there would never be any dialogue. What stands behind this trend and the change in rhetoric?

Sergey Lavrov: This means that they are probably not totally lost as politicians.

Question: Donald Trump has promised to “work very hard” to settle the conflicts in the Middle East and Ukraine. Do you have an idea of how he can accomplish that?

Sergey Lavrov: I have no idea. We will wait for their proposals. When we are asked about this, we always emphasise that in any case politicians who say that they are for peace rather than war deserve attention. But we have no idea what exactly they will propose.

Our position was clearly articulated by President Vladimir Putin during his speech at the Russian Foreign Ministry on June 14.

Question: A US missile defence base has opened in Poland 165 kilometres away from the Russian border. At the opening, President Andrzej Duda said it was originally planned to use it to repel a potential attack by Iran. However, he now proudly stated that the opening of a US base in Poland shows that Russia has lost its influence there. What can you say about this and what might be the response?

Sergey Lavrov: Our assessments made 10 to 15 years ago are coming true. When the Americans withdrew from the ABM Treaty, they said they would deploy their positioning areas in European countries for the sole purpose of defending against Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea.

We analysed their plans and the way they looked and said right away that this had nothing to do with Iran, but was rather an attempt to create unilateral advantages in a face-off with our country, to ratchet up tensions and to pursue a policy to contain Russia. All of our assessments have come true.

I like the fact that you are asking perfect questions where each one contains an answer.

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