📰 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s interview with the Türkish newspaper Hürriyet, November 1, 2024

#BRICS

We welcome Türkiye’s interest in strengthening ties with BRICS. This reflects the appeal of the group that is based on respect for the UN Charter, openness, pragmatism, and non-directedness against third parties.

We support the expansion of BRICS relations with countries of the Global Majority, particularly those committed to upholding multilateral approaches, pursuing a sovereign foreign policy, and refraining from participating in unilateral sanctions.

During the Summit in Kazan, a decision was made to strengthen the current composition of BRICS by including partner countries in the group. I am confident that Türkiye can make a meaningful contribution to the ongoing development of BRICS. The parameters for Türkiye’s participation in the group will be determined by consensus, respecting the sovereign choices of all BRICS countries and Türkiye itself.

#MiddleEast

The failure to settle the long-standing Arab-Israeli conflict has sparked a new wave of violence, resulting in the deaths of tens of thousands of innocent Palestinians in Gaza. The number of casualties in Lebanon reaches thousands. More and more countries are becoming embroiled in this escalating confrontation.

Russia has condemned Israel for killing political leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, as well as high-ranking Iranian military officials. We asked the UN Security Council to give its assessment of these deeds, but this initiative was blocked by opposition from Western members of the Council.

We urge all parties to refrain from actions that could further escalate violence and lead to a situation beyond control. There will be no winners in this conflict.

The way to normalise the situation lies in halting the bloodshed and creating conditions for a political resolution of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict based on universal international legal principles. This includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders. Only this solution can guarantee lasting peace in the Middle East.

#Ukraine

Russia is open to achieving a political settlement, but this should not merely lead to a temporary ceasefire; it must lead to a resolution of the conflict by eliminating its root causes. These include NATO’s eastward expansion, the creation of threats to Russia’s essential security interests, and the Kiev regime’s infringement on the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking residents of Ukraine.

At the moment, our opponents do not appear to want peace. Ukraine’s reaction to President Vladimir Putin’s peace initiative proposed in June was an invasion of the Kursk Region by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, along with airstrikes on targets in other border areas. Washington and its allies continue to provide extensive support to Kiev, discuss the possibility of using Western long-range missiles for strikes deep into Russian territory. Vladimir Zelensky has not revoked his order prohibiting negotiations with Moscow. Given these circumstances, it seems unlikely that any country, including Türkiye, will succeed in mediation efforts.

#RussiaUS

Whoever wins the election, we see no real prospects of the United States changing its Russophobic course. For our part, we will be ready for dialogue if and when the Americans demonstrate serious intentions to negotiate honestly, based on respect for each other’s interests and the principle of reciprocity.

🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the 16th Assembly of the Russian World (Moscow, November 2, 2024)

💬 It is profoundly symbolic that your forum traditionally convenes on the eve of National Unity Day, a day on which we commemorate our people's victory in the struggle against foreign invaders.

On January 1, 2024, the Foreign Ministry assumed the sole founding role of the Russkiy Mir Foundation. This represents a significant honour and responsibility for us. I wish to assure you of our continued dedication to enhancing the Foundation's potential and influence.

Over the years, your gatherings have distinguished themselves as a unique platform that brings together all those engaged in the multinational and multi-faith Russkiy Mir: prominent public and political figures, academics, Russian language scholars and compatriots. We highly value your contribution to the promotion of our Motherland's rich cultural and historical heritage and the advancement of international humanitarian cooperation. <...>

We shall preserve our traditional values and safeguard the cultural and historical heritage of the diverse peoples of the Russian Federation. This goal is unequivocally reaffirmed in the new Foreign Policy Concept, which Russian President Vladimir Putin endorsed in March 2023. It characterises Russia as a unique country-civilisation with over a thousand years of history.

⚠️ The situation in Ukraine illustrates the potential consequences of willingly forsaking the spiritual and cultural roots bequeathed by our forebears. Following the bloody state coup in 2014, the neo-Nazi regime in Kiev embarked on a systematic campaign to eradicate all that is associated with the Russian World. Russians, Russian speakers, and individuals simply affiliated with Russian culture came under assault. <...>

In Ukraine, the use of the Russian language is legally prohibited across various areas, from education and media to daily life. In late September, yet another law banning the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church was passed. The West is not just keeping silent, but is vocally proclaiming its support for Ukraine which allegedly "upholds European values".

Notably, protecting the rights and freedoms, as well as the legal interests of the Russian people and Russian speakers should be an integral part of a political settlement in Ukraine, alongside ensuring Ukraine’s non-aligned, neutral, and non-nuclear status, and eliminating any and all threats to Russia’s security that may come from within its borders. <...>

🌐 We will continue working alongside our like-minded partners to shape a fairer multipolar world order that relies on civilisational diversity of the modern-day world. We will keep pursuing our independent foreign policy and expanding mutually beneficial cooperation with every country that is willing to cooperate on the basis of equality, trust, and an honest balance of interests, thus contributing to an atmosphere of mutual understanding among nations. Without a doubt, each one of you has a part to play in this.

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