Russia Has No Plans to Attack Europe, But If It Attacks Russia, War Will Be Short — Lavrov
German Bundeswehr soldiers of the NATO enhanced forward presence battalion in front of the Germany army Main battle tank Leopard 2A6 at the Training Range in Pabrade, Lithuania, in May 2023.
YEKATERINBURG (Sputnik) — Russia does not intend to attack Europe, but if Europe attacks Russia, the war will be short, as Russian President Vladimir Putin warned, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday.
On Europe and US
«I would like to emphasize that we have no interest in engaging in this [attacking Europe], but if Europe, which is talking about preparing for war against Russia on a daily basis, attacks Russia, it will be a completely different war, and it will be very short,» Lavrov said at the International Youth Festival. The minister also expressed hope that Europe had heard the warning about a short war in the event of an attack on Russia.Lavrov also expressed doubts about the idea that the world is governed solely by agreements between the United States and China, noting that China takes a completely different approach to global affairs.»They say that it is necessary to create a bilateral Chinese‑American alliance to govern this world on the basis of bipolar agreements. I do not think this is a reliable model. First, China promotes a completely different philosophy of international relations and its role in those relations,» Lavrov said.Russia did not undermine the role of the US dollar in the world, but it is forced to adopt new forms of cooperation to conduct settlements with its partners, Lavrov said.Lavrov recalled that around twenty years ago, the American leadership claimed that the dollar was not American property but a global asset, and that everyone should use it.This was done to ensure that the settlements related to servicing Russia’s trade and investments with partner countries proceed smoothly, the minister added.
On Western Attempts to Interfere in Russian Elections
«During this election campaign [in Russia], we are particularly keenly observing attempts at direct interference by the West in the expression of will by our citizens,» Lavrov said.
On BRICS and Western-Led Organizations
«BRICS is open to new members. Three years ago, a decision was made to double the number of members, now there are 10, and another dozen countries are official partners. BRICS partner countries have the corresponding status, and the same number of countries want to join this association,» Lavrov said.The United States and its allies are moving toward the creation of closed economic and military‑political blocs in Eurasia, he added.»In all organizations where Russia participates, the doors are open to new members. All that is needed is the desire, and we are ready to discuss the conditions under which expansion could take place. Meanwhile, the United States and its allies are working to create closed economic and military‑political blocs in Eurasia,» Lavrov said.
On Russian-US Relations
«Everyone was stirred by the news from the US that they have deployed weapons in space — strike weapons. We are now verifying this situation. But it is unknown what will happen to space in 10–15 years,» Lavrov said.»The United States suggests that we resume the bilateral dialogue. We have separate contacts, but for a full-fledged dialogue it is necessary to normalize relations,» Lavrov added.Russia’s dialogue with US President Donald Trump’s administration is not leading to tangible changes in key areas of relations with the United States.»Moreover, our American colleagues insist that strategic stability should be discussed in a three‑party format, with China involved. We say that this is China’s business … Although, I agree, a dialogue is long overdue,» Lavrov added.
On Russian-Armenian Relations
"If we talk about the aspirations of the government [of Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan] towards the European Union, then they can be deceived, and I think the EU authorities will certainly deceive. I do not see how Armenia can end up in the European Union, where Turkiye, for example, has been waiting in line for many decades, and Serbia as well," Lavrov said.
Russia cannot oppose the Armenian people’s choice in favor of European integration, but it is necessary to understand whether this choice actually exists, the minister said, adding that Russia would not want to finance Armenia’s preparation for EU membership at the expense of the country’s substantial preferences within the EAEU.Lavrov’s comments came at the World Youth Festival, which is taking place in the Russian city of Yekaterinburg from September 11-17. Sputnik is the festival’s general media partner.
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