Moscow launched inside procedures to nominate a brand new envoy to the United States, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned Tuesday.
In an interview with the Russian state news company RIA, Lavrov acknowledged that whereas the connection between Russia and the U.S. stays in disaster, Washington has not signaled any intention to sever diplomatic ties.
“We acknowledge that as the biggest nuclear powers, our nations bear a particular duty for world stability, which necessitates diplomatic engagement and the continued operation of our embassies in Moscow and Washington,” Lavrov mentioned.
Despite the strained relations, Lavrov emphasised that Washington nonetheless seeks to keep up diplomatic channels. “If this method continues, we’ll appoint a brand new Russian ambassador to the US on the acceptable time. The needed inside procedures have already begun,” he mentioned.
On Oct. 10, Russian President Vladimir Putin relieved Anatoly Antonov of his function as ambassador to the U.S. with out naming a alternative. Antonov, 69, had been within the place since 2017.
Regarding Russia’s expectations for the upcoming U.S. presidential election, Lavrov remarked that each American events pursue an “anti-Russian and Russophobic course,” with Ukraine playing a central role in the “hybrid struggle” in opposition to Russia, implying that there’s little hope for constructive change.
“We stay open to dialogue, offered that the U.S. demonstrates real intent to barter with mutual respect and recognition of Russia’s nationwide pursuits,” Lavrov famous.
Responding to accusations from American political analysts that Russia has interfered in Georgia’s parliamentary elections, the highest diplomat dismissed the claims as “an outright lie.”
“It is common for Americans to attribute to us for actions that they themselves engage in. Washington continues to actively exploit the self-created myth of Russian interference in any election, national or in third countries. If forces objectionable to the US win somewhere, Russia is immediately ‘appointed guilty’ for the ‘wrong’ choice of voters,” he mentioned.
Ukraine’s use of long-range weapons to suggest NATO’s ‘open’ involvement in a battle with Russia
Regarding reviews that Ukraine could also be approved to make use of Western-supplied long-range weapons to focus on Russian territory, Lavrov warned that such actions would signify NATO’s “open” involvement within the battle with Russia.
“If these weapons are used, it will point out that NATO nations are actively at struggle with Russia, with no pretense in regards to the presence of ‘mercenaries,’ ‘volunteers,’ or advisors working beneath ‘false flags.’ This would essentially expose the true nature of the battle,” he mentioned.
He cautioned that any hostile actions taken by NATO or its member states would immediate Russia to reply proportionately, beneath the UN Charter’s sovereign proper to self-defense.
“Our opponents shouldn’t be mistaken… Neither the Atlantic Ocean nor the English Channel provides a protected distance from repercussions,” he warned.
Turning to Armenia and Azerbaijan, Lavrov famous that the ultimate textual content of the peace treaty has but to be finalized as a result of longstanding hostilities and casualties suffered by each nations make it troublesome for Baku and Yerevan to attain progress in normalization.
“Achieving normalization would require appreciable time and effort,” he remarked.
Lavrov additionally commented on the scenario in Moldova’s breakaway area of Transnistria, describing it as “troublesome.”
“This scenario is affected by Moldova’s inside politics. I hope the Moldovan authorities will act with restraint to keep away from actions that may escalate tensions,” he added.
– BRICS efforts to de-escalate Gaza scenario
When requested about BRICS nations’ actions to alleviate the Palestinian-Israeli battle and broader Middle East instability, Lavrov remarked that because the disaster started in October of final yr, BRICS nations have stood united in defending the rights of Gaza’s civilian inhabitants.
“On Nov. 21, 2023, an emergency BRICS summit called for an immediate cease-fire and humanitarian aid to the victims. This unified stance was reiterated in the Kazan Summit declaration, which was attended by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas,” the highest Russian diplomat mentioned.
Following the onset of Israel’s army actions in Gaza, BRICS nations submitted a UN Security Council decision urging a cease-fire and unrestricted humanitarian entry, which the US then blocked.
“The US justified its position by claiming that such a resolution would obstruct its efforts to negotiate a cease-fire and detainee exchange between Israel and Hamas. However, this negotiation process is at an impasse, and Gaza’s situation worsens daily,” he commented.
He noticed that the battle has unfold to Lebanon, Syria, Iraq, and even Iran. It has additionally induced instability within the Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden, the place a multinational naval coalition led by the US and UK has launched assaults focusing on Houthis, who’ve responded to Israel’s army operations in Palestinian territories.
The overseas minister emphasised that the Gaza disaster has catalyzed these regional developments and that its decision is vital to Middle East stability.
“We will persist in working with our partners toward a just resolution to the Palestinian question on a recognized international legal foundation, leveraging BRICS’ full potential,” he concluded.
Israel has continued a devastating offensive on Gaza because the Oct. 7, 2023 assaults by Hamas, killing almost 43,400 individuals and rendering the enclave virtually uninhabitable.
Israel faces a genocide case on the International Court of Justice for its actions within the blockaded enclave.
In latest months, Israel has additionally stepped up its assaults on the Lebanese group Hezbollah, together with bombings and a floor incursion, sparking fears of a broader struggle.
Source: www.dailysabah.com