The current international situation carries risks of direct conflict between NATO and Russia.
“This situation poses serious risks to global security, as a direct confrontation between NATO and Russia could quickly escalate into an exchange of nuclear strikes with catastrophic consequences,” Lavrov wrote in his article “Ukraine, Europe and Global Security,” published in the journal “International Life.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that this article was originally planned for publication by the European edition of Politico, but at the last moment, the publication was canceled by the editorial decision.
To avoid such a scenario, the Foreign Minister believes that Russia and Europe can resume dialogue. However, trust needs to be restored, which has been undermined by the actions of the West.
“The main thing is that for a substantive dialogue, trust needs to be restored, which has been undermined by the anti-Russian actions of the West and Europe as its component in the post-Cold War era,” noted the Foreign Minister.
The current international situation carries risks of direct conflict between NATO and Russia, which could quickly transition into a phase of nuclear confrontation. This was warned by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
He explained that Europe “continues to dream of expansion,” “intends to conquer Ukraine and Moldova, and is drawing Armenia into its orbit,” while NATO has “swallowed” Finland and Sweden. At the same time, Ukraine is viewed as a “strike fist” of future European armed forces, autonomous from the US and NATO.
On February 25, 2022, the day after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Lavrov was included in the sanctions list of EU countries, as he supported the immediate recognition of two self-proclaimed republics by Russia. He was also included in the sanctions list of the UK for his involvement in attempts to destabilize Ukraine.
On February 28, 2022, he was included in the sanctions list of Canada for individuals “who bear the greatest responsibility for Russia's unprovoked and unjustified invasion of Ukraine.”
On June 9, 2022, he was included in the sanctions list of Ukraine, as he “actively supports actions that undermine the territorial integrity, sovereignty, and independence of Ukraine, as well as stability and security in Ukraine.”
On similar grounds, he is under sanctions from the US, Australia, Switzerland, New Zealand, and Japan.
In March 2022, the UK imposed sanctions against his stepdaughter Polina Kovalova, living in London. In April 2022, Canada imposed sanctions against Maria Lavrova and Ekaterina Vinokurova (his wife and daughter), while Australia imposed sanctions against Ekaterina Vinokurova.
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