Lavrov: US seeks to dissuade Russia’s partners from ties with Moscow

The United States is seeking to discourage Russia’s close partners from maintaining relations with Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

Speaking to students and academic staff at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations (MGIMO), Lavrov said Russia remained open to cooperation based on equality, mutual benefit and a balance of interests, Caliber.Az reports via Russian media.

‘We are always open to cooperation with those who are prepared to do so on the basis of equality, mutual benefit and the establishment of a balance of interests. The overwhelming majority of countries in the Global South and the Global East are ready for this. The West does not want them to be ready for this. Western emissaries are rushing around all the capitals saying: ‘No, no, no, you mustn’t do this with Russia,’” noted the Foreign Minister.

Lavrov said the US was pursuing a similar approach toward Russia’s close partners, arguing that Washington’s motivation was increasingly economic rather than ideological.

“We know that the Americans are doing the same: they are dissuading our close partners from having relations with us. But they are no longer doing this for ideological reasons, but simply because they do not want our partners’ economic opportunities to benefit the Russian Federation in any way. They want to redirect these opportunities towards themselves,” added Lavrov.

By Sabina Mammadli