Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov gave an interview to well-known American journalist Tucker Carlson. In the conversation, Lavrov talks about his vision of Russia's war in Ukraine, relations with the West, and suggests scenarios for the development of the international situation.
Main statements:
1. On possible peace agreements regarding Ukraine.
Key conditions that Russia may agree to:
– no entry of Ukraine into NATO, no Western military bases in Ukraine, no military exercises on Ukrainian soil with the participation of foreign troops,
– “it is necessary to take into account all the realities on the ground and the fact that four new regions have joined the Russian Federation”,
– Zelensky's public rescission of the decree banning negotiations with Putin,
– “Kyiv must abandon Russophobic and anti-Russian policies. Laws banning the Russian language, Russian culture, Russian media, and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church are unacceptable. This violates Ukraine’s obligations under the UN Charter,”
– Russia is ready to be among the countries that will provide security guarantees to Ukraine.
2. About "Oreshnik" and Russia's "red lines":
– Russia does not want to worsen the situation, hopes that its signal to the US in the form of the Oreshnik test was taken seriously. By testing the Oreshnik, Russia wanted to convey to the West that it will do everything to protect its interests,
– Russia is ready to send additional “messages” to the West if they do not draw the necessary conclusions in light of the launch of “Oreshnik”,
– Western statements about the absence of “red lines” in Russia and their shifting are “a very serious mistake”,
– Moscow will be ready to use any means to prevent the West from inflicting a "strategic defeat" on Russia.
3. On relations with the USA and nuclear war:
– Russia would like normal relations with the US and sees no reason why the countries cannot cooperate,
– “we are not thinking about a war with the US, which could be nuclear in nature. Our military doctrine states that the most important thing is to avoid a nuclear war,”
– the formula of “no nuclear war” corresponds to the vital interests of Russia and the USA, there can be no winners in it,
– Russia and the US are not officially at war, what is happening in Ukraine is a hybrid war,
– Trump is a strong person who does not like to postpone things, he is friendly in conversation, but this does not mean that he is pro-Russian.
