Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov provided details about the recent talks between the US and Russia in an interview with the state-run Perwy Kanal. The discussion centered on secure navigation in the Black Sea, with Moscow seeking a restart of the Black Sea Grain Initiative in a form acceptable to all parties.
According to Lavrov, the Russian delegation emphasized the need for the new initiative to be free of “uncertainties.” He added, “Our position is simple. We cannot rely on the word of this person” referring to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Lavrov stated that Russia wants a predictable market for grain and fertilizers, ensuring no one tries to displace them. He highlighted the importance of food security in African countries, not just for economic gain but also for humanitarian reasons.
The US, Lavrov said, is aware that only they can persuade Ukraine to stop terrorist attacks and assaults on Russian infrastructure and that Russia can only receive security guarantees from Ukraine if the US gives a direct order to President Zelenskyy.
The Russian Foreign Minister also criticized the European approach to the Ukraine conflict, accusing France and the UK of being the main arms suppliers to Ukraine. He claimed that without Western support, Ukraine would have already been defeated and that EU countries discussing troop deployment in Ukraine are “politically bankrupt dreamers.”
Lavrov also drew parallels between the historical attempts by Napoleon and Hitler to weaken and isolate Russia and the current efforts of Western countries to do the same. He stated that the goal is to “strangle” Russia, just as Napoleon and Hitler had aimed to do.