Lavrov also reiterated that convoys of foreign weapons delivered to Ukraine would be a legitimate target for the Russian army. Moscow reportedly will not allow Kyiv to take over the S-300 air defense systems.
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“If there was an illusion that we could rely on our Western partners, then that illusion no longer exists,” Lavrov told Russian-backed television.
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According to the foreign minister, it is the West that is closing its doors to Russia with its sanctions imposed on Russia in connection with its invasion of Ukraine.
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“Americans want a unipolar world that is not a global village, but an American village – or perhaps a salon where the strongest decide,” Lavrov said. According to him, however, there are many countries in the world such as China, India and Brazil that do not want to take orders from “Uncle Sam” acting in the role of sheriff.
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He also argued that Russia’s economy would survive Western sanctions and emerge stronger. “We will now have to rely on ourselves and our allies to stay with us,” Lavrov said.
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He also denied Thursday’s information in the German tabloid Bild, according to which the plane with the head of Russian diplomacy turned for unknown reasons halfway to Beijing and returned to Moscow.
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Regarding the Russian invasion of Ukraine, which Moscow calls a “special operation,” Lavrov said its goal was to remove any threat to Russia coming from Ukrainian territory.
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“We have made it clear that any cargo that enters the territory of Ukraine and that we consider to be a cargo of weapons will become a legitimate goal. That is absolutely clear, “the Russian foreign minister was quoted by the RIA Novosti agency. According to her, Lavrov also said that Moscow would not allow, above all, deliveries of Kiev S-300 missiles, which were requested by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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In recent days, Slovakia has preliminarily expressed its willingness to hand over its S-300 system to Ukraine if Bratislava receives adequate compensation for it.
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“I understand the needs of Ukraine today. We are all trying to help Ukraine as best we can. But I am the Minister of Defense of the Slovak Republic, I must first and foremost make sure that the Slovak defense needs are met, “said Slovak Minister of Defense Jaroslav Naď.
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He pointed out that the S-300 systems can be repaired and maintained only by Russian companies, which is difficult to implement in a situation where Moscow has become an aggressor. “If we get an alternative to the S-300, I’ll be glad to get rid of it.” he said with the proviso that Slovakia must get rid of its dependence on Russian weapons, and if this also helps Ukraine, it will be an advantage.
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