(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that Russia will react "harshly" to any "unfriendly actions" against Moscow. Speaking at a meeting in Moscow, Lavrov accused Western countries of intending to cause discontent among the Russian population and sowing discord.
Lavrov also noted that Russia is fighting in Ukraine "not only for security, for Russians and Russian-speaking people living in the new territories" but also for "upholding Russian statehood." He further said that Russia will decide on the prospect of holding talks with Western countries "when and if they sober up."
Despite the tensions with the West, Lavrov emphasized that Russia still has many friends in all countries of the world, including in the West. He argued that China and India, as well as many other countries in Eurasia, the Asia-Pacific region, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America, do not intend to help the West maintain its hegemony in the world.
"It is quite natural that about three-quarters of the world's states did not join the anti-Russian sanctions. All of them took a balanced position on the situation in Ukraine and around it," he said, adding: "And they do not want to give up their legitimate national interests in order to help the Anglo-Saxons and their helpers maintain their hegemony or, to put it more correctly, try to maintain their hegemony on the world stage."
Lavrov's comments reflect the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West and highlight the challenges faced by the international community in promoting stability and cooperation in the face of geopolitical rivalries. As the world becomes increasingly multipolar, it is important to find ways to address these tensions and work towards building a more peaceful and prosperous global order.
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