Russia emphasizes self-reliance in relations with the West
(Baonghean.vn) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized on April 29 that Russia cannot depend on the West in important strategic issues.
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| Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Photo: AFP/TTXVN |
Speaking to the Dubai-based Al Arabiya TV channel (United Arab Emirates), Mr. Lavrov stated that Russia cannot rely on the West in any field, especially in the economic, technological, food and strategic daily needs.
Foreign Minister Lavrov did not rule out the possibility of resuming relations with the West in the future, but stressed that Russia "must be self-reliant in key areas".
In addition, Mr. Lavrov said that most of Russia's important partners have agreed to the gas payment plan in rubles proposed by Moscow.
According to RIA news agency, in the same statement, Foreign Minister Lavrov said that Russia does not consider that the country is at war with the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) regarding the Ukraine issue because such a development would increase the risk of nuclear war. Mr. Lavrov also said that the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine stalled because Kiev changed its stance in negotiations with Moscow.
On the same day, April 29, a senior US defense official said that the US assessed there was no threat from Russia's use of nuclear weapons.
Reuters news agency quoted an anonymous official as emphasizing: "We will continue to closely monitor their (Russia's) nuclear moves on a daily basis and we assess that there is no threat of using nuclear weapons, nor any threat to NATO territory."
Meanwhile, US State Department Deputy Spokesperson Jalina Porter stated on April 29 that the US believes that it is impossible to return to a normal trade status with Russia's participation in the international community or international institutions such as the Group of 20 leading developed and emerging economies (G20).
Ms. Porter made the above statement in the context that Indonesia, which currently holds the rotating G20 presidency, has invited Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Volodymyr Zelensky to attend the G20 Summit taking place next November.
However, Ms. Porter did not reveal whether the US would attend this conference or not./.
