Russia's top diplomat accuses West of propaganda push ahead of elections

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the West of intensifying what he described as propaganda pressure ahead of Russia’s upcoming State Duma elections.

Speaking at the opening of the 4th Congress of the International Russophile Movement, Lavrov said Russia was countering what he called the “aggressive advance” of Western propaganda.

He also said there had been no substantive change in Russian-US relations despite continued dialogue between Moscow and Washington, and that no significant improvement was currently expected.

According to Lavrov, the United States, unlike European countries, remains prepared to engage in serious dialogue with Russia.

“This is always important, even when the positions are diametrically opposed,” he said, while noting that the dialogue had so far produced no substantive progress toward restoring bilateral relations.

Lavrov also sharply criticized European support for Ukraine, calling it “a disgrace for the West.”

“The fact that the West proudly speaks about European values defended by Ukraine is a disgrace for the West,” he said.

By Vafa Guliyeva