Sergey Lavrov: European Union “Lost Russia” Through Own Fault

The Minister of Foreign Affairs noted that, declaring the need for a strategic defeat of Moscow, the EU “lost Russia”. At the same time, the diplomat recalled that Russia is still open to cooperation on an equal basis. The European Union “lost Russia” through its own fault, now Moscow considers it as an unfriendly association. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in an interview with the Arguments and Facts Newspaper, posted on the website of the Russian diplomatic agency. “The European Union has lost Russia. But it is to blame itself for this. After all, the EU member states and its leaders openly declare the need to inflict on Russia, as they say, a strategic defeat. They pump up the criminal Kyiv regime with weapons and ammunition, send instructors and mercenaries to Ukraine. For these reasons, we consider the EU as an unfriendly association,” the Minister said. According to him, Western countries today are not ready for a real dialogue with Moscow and are looking for new ways to contain it 24/7. At the same time, the Minister recalled that Russia is still open to cooperation on an equal basis and taking into account Russian interests “in order to improve the situation in Europe and the Euro-Atlantic region and reduce the long-term nuclear risks.” “If the Europeans abandon their anti-Russian course at some point and opt for a mutually respectful dialogue with Russia, we will consider their proposals and make decisions based on our national interests,” Sergey Lavrov concluded.