West doesn’t know how to deal with Russia: Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview that Western sanctions on Russia didn’t impact the nation much. 

Speaking to news outlet Al Arabiya, headquartered in Dubai, on Friday, Lavrov noted “They don’t know history. Russia always had sanctions. This latest outrage and the wave of sanctions have shown the real face of the West … to believe this it will make Russia cry uncle and to beg for being pardoned … they don’t know anything about foreign policy of Russia or how to deal with Russia”. 

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The Russian foreign minister was also quick to establish that there should not be a nuclear war under any circumstances since there are no winners in such an outcome and urged other nations to adhere to this principle. 

He praised Moscow, saying they have “been champions of making pledges by all countries never to start a nuclear war.” 

Lavrov was also asked about the intentions of the Russian military in Ukraine, whether they want full control of the east and south to establish the land corridor to Crimea. However, the foreign minister did not provide clarity on the matter, saying “the military means to achieve (Russia’s) goals is not for me to discuss”, and moved away from discussing what he labelled “speculation”. 

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When asked whether Moscow’s military operations in Ukraine will end on May 9, Russia’s annual Victory Day, he said “They will be completed when the goals I just described to you have been implemented, have been achieved.” 

Notably, Russia has flexed its nuclear power since the Ukraine invasion began, putting its forces on high alert. However, Moscow has time and again assured that it will only resort to nuclear attacks if its existence is threatened. 

At present, Russia has launched its second wave of attacks on Ukraine, approaching from the east, and making a push from the south, after the initial strategy saw slow ground movement around the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.