Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that while the US did not oppose the resolution to protect its reputation, it granted “Israel” significant freedom of action by declaring the resolution “non-binding”.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clarified that while the United States did not veto the UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to protect its reputation, it still granted “Israel” considerable freedom of action in Gaza by declaring the resolution “non-binding”.
These remarks were made during an interview for Russia’s Izvestia newspaper.
On Monday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution urging for an immediate Ramadan ceasefire in Gaza, with the goal of achieving a lasting and sustainable cessation of hostilities. The resolution was introduced by the 10 non-permanent members of the council. Fourteen countries voted in favor of it, while the United States abstained.
“It is good that this resolution has been adopted. But the US passed it, realizing that if it vetoes this one, which is significantly weaker, but at least calls for a cease-fire, then it will generally ‘spoil its reputation’ in relations with the world majority. But immediately, having adopted this resolution, the US representative to the UN stated that this resolution was not binding. That is, the ‘carte blanche’ was extended by this,” the Russian Minister said.
Furthermore, Lavrov slammed the double standards of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe toward the Palestinians. In his opinion, the establishment of a Palestinian state is the only sure way to end the bloodshed.
“The establishment of the State of Palestine is the only way to solve this problem for many years and in a sustainable manner. Moreover, [what is meant is] the establishment of the State of Palestine as stipulated in the Security Council resolution, as per the 1967 borders […] with the capital being East Jerusalem,” Lavrov added, while stressing the necessity of the return of Palestinian refugees.
Lavrov noted that the United States now realizes that the Israeli aggression following the Palestinian Resistance’s operation on October 7 is “completely disproportionate” and constitutes collective punishment of the Palestinian people, which is prohibited by international law.
“The completely deliberate bombing of civilian targets and the indiscriminate use of aircraft have killed 35,000 [Palestinians], more than half of whom are women and children, and injured about 80,000 others,” the top Russian diplomat said.
He added that when Russian diplomats mention these numbers to their colleagues at the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, they do not receive the appropriate reaction.
‘Who benefits from the terrorist attack?’
Regarding the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue, he stated that Moscow cannot dismiss the possibility that Ukraine might gain advantages from the attack.
“The West is suspiciously actively convincing us, not only publicly, but also in contacts through our diplomatic missions, that Ukraine should not be suspected. Without explaining why. Although from the point of view of general logic, answering the question of who benefits from this, we cannot rule out Ukraine,” Lavrov stressed.
“They constantly directly speak about this country [Ukraine] and its non-involvement. It is becoming obsessive,” he added.
Commenting on Macron’s statement regarding sending troops to Ukraine, Lavrov suggested that such remarks serve as a distraction tactic, implying that domestic issues are of little concern to him and necessitating a diversion of attention from current problems.
“It seems to me the French activity on this ‘front’ is designed solely to distract in a situation where ‘at home’ he has unimportant affairs and it is necessary to create some diversion in the form of calls to “get Russia,” the Russian Foreign minister said.
Elsewhere in his remarks, Lavrov highlighted that France was among the guarantors of an agreement between Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition in 2014.
He recalled that the agreement was swiftly disregarded, with administrative buildings seized, and instead of establishing a government of national unity for snap elections, a “government of winners” was announced, deepening divisions within Ukrainian society. Lavrov further noted that Paris had advocated numerous conflict resolution agreements in the past that were ultimately disregarded.
“And we are told about non-negotiability… If we are to talk about contractual capacity or about who has what authority, it is probably not the French or other members of the European Union, who were engaged in these ‘cases’ and then simply proved their uselessness,” the Minister said.
Russia foils attempted isolation: Plan backfires
In the course of the interview, Lavrov addressed Politico’s article outlining potential strategies against Russia, including isolating the country within its borders and distancing it from post-Soviet republics. Lavrov characterized this approach as “generous”, noting that the West has numerous scenarios for what he referred to as the “decolonization” of Russia.
“It doesn’t hurt to dream, as our people say,” he replied.
Furthermore, Lavrov announced that following European ambassadors’ refusal to meet with him prior to the Russian presidential election, all communication requests from European diplomatic representatives in Moscow to Russian authorities will now be handled by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Lavrov had previously extended an invitation to EU countries’ ambassadors for a discussion before the scheduled presidential election in March, but they declined two days before the proposed meeting.
“They are here but do not want to communicate with the Foreign Minister. We informed them that from now on, at any level, be it an ambassador, an attache or everyone ‘who is between them,’ if they have an interest in communicating with the Russian authorities we will consider each such request separately and decide whether to agree to such contact or not,” Lavrov added.
Source: AlMayadeen
