Petr Baryshnikov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov arrived in this year's BRICS host state South Africa on Monday morning to discuss bilateral relations as well as cooperation within the BRICS.
Western countries, namely the US and the UK, are crossing all red lines by exerting pressure on countries that cooperate with Russia, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at a joint press conference with his South African counterpart Naledi Pandor after their meeting in Pretoria on Monday.
"[The US] is publicly saying that those who cooperate with Russia will regret it," he said, answering Sputnik's question at the press conference. "Through threats and pressure, the US, and the British too, are crossing all red lines."
Lavrov stressed that the West is undermining democratic principles in terms of international relations, noting that the US along with the EU appeal to democracy only when it suits their interests.
Answering reporters' questions, the minister also drew attention to issues concerning the export of Russian grain and fertilizers in the context of the global food crisis and anti-Russian sanctions. He noted that although such exports are not prohibited by Western sanctions, the latter create logistical, financial, and freightage problems. Lavrov stressed that Russia is ready for international cooperation to overcome these issues – among others, noted by UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres – but the West does not seem to be willing to participate.
"As for Russian fertilizers, grain, no efforts by the UN helped the European Union and the United States remove obstacles to our exports," he said.
He also noted that only 20,000 of 280 thousand tons of fertilizers, which Russia agreed to provide to the poorest countries for free, had left the European ports.
"It's been about half a year since President Putin drew the attention of the world community to this initiative. During this time, out of 280,000 tons, only 20,000 tons were sent from the Netherlands to Malawi – well, [...] such an agreement was reached three months ago, and the cargo itself was transported only very recently," he underlined.
RT
A “global tragedy” could be in store for humanity if the West keeps supplying weapons to Ukraine, Russia's most senior lawmaker has warned. Vyacheslav Volodin, the speaker of the State Duma, also suggested that Moscow could retaliate with more powerful arms, should its territory be threatened.
Volodin’s remarks came days after a meeting at US Ramstein air base in Germany at which Western powers pledged to continue supporting Kiev.
On Sunday, Volodin took to Telegram to point out that should the weapons provided by the US and fellow NATO member states be used to “strike civilian cities and to attempt to seize our territories, as they threaten [to do],” Moscow would respond with “more powerful weapons.”
The Russian lawmaker went on to argue that Western officials should be aware of their responsibility to avert such a scenario.
“Taking into consideration the technological superiority of Russian weapons, foreign politicians making such decisions need to understand: this could end up being a global tragedy that would destroy their countries,” Volodin warned.
On Wednesday, the New York Times, citing several anonymous US officials, reported that the Biden administration is now more likely to consider providing Ukraine with striking capabilities needed to hit targets in Crimea.
Right before the Ramstein meeting on January 20, the US announced a new defense aid package for Ukraine to the tune of $2.5 billion. It includes, among other things, Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicles, Stryker armored personnel carriers, mine-resistant ambush-protected vehicles, Humvees, as well as 20,000 rounds of regular artillery rounds and 600 precision-guided 155 mm shells. On top of that, Washington pledged to supply Kiev with more missiles for the HIMARS M142 and MLRS M270 multiple launch rocket systems.
Earlier this month the UK confirmed plans to provide Ukraine with a number of Challenger 2 main battle tanks. However, the Western allies failed to secure an agreement from Germany to send its Leopard 2 tanks to Kiev.
Apart from the American Bradleys and Strykers, Ukraine is set to receive French AMX-10 RC armored fighting vehicles, which some experts describe as ‘light tanks.’ President Emmanuel Macron announced plans to deliver the hardware earlier this month.
Sweden has also promised to make a contribution that will include CB-90 infantry fighting vehicles and Archer self-propelled howitzers.
No comments:
Post a Comment