Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov clarified that while the United States did not veto the UN Security Council resolution for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip to protect its reputation, it still granted "Israel" considerable freedom of action in Gaza by declaring the resolution "non-binding".

These remarks were made during an interview for Russia’s Izvestia newspaper.

On Monday, the UN Security Council passed a resolution urging for an immediate Ramadan ceasefire in Gaza, with the goal of achieving a lasting and sustainable cessation of hostilities. The resolution was introduced by the 10 non-permanent members of the council. Fourteen countries voted in favor of it, while the United States abstained.

"It is good that this resolution has been adopted. But the US passed it, realizing that if it vetoes this one, which is significantly weaker, but at least calls for a cease-fire, then it will generally 'spoil its reputation' in relations with the world majority. But immediately, having adopted this resolution, the US representative to the UN stated that this resolution was not binding. That is, the 'carte blanche' was extended by this," the Russian Minister said.

Furthermore, Lavrov slammed the double standards of the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe toward the Palestinians. In his opinion, the establishment of a Palestinian state is the only sure way to end the bloodshed.

"The establishment of the State of Palestine is the only way to solve this problem for many years and in a sustainable manner. Moreover, [what is meant is] the establishment of the State of Palestine as stipulated in the Security Council resolution, as per the 1967 borders [...] with the capital being East Jerusalem," Lavrov added, while stressing the necessity of the return of Palestinian refugees.

Lavrov noted that the United States now realizes that the Israeli aggression following the Palestinian Resistance’s operation on October 7 is “completely disproportionate” and constitutes collective punishment of the Palestinian people, which is prohibited by international law.

“The completely deliberate bombing of civilian targets and the indiscriminate use of aircraft have killed 35,000 [Palestinians], more than half of whom are women and children, and injured about 80,000 others,” the top Russian diplomat said.

He added that when Russian diplomats mention these numbers to their colleagues at the United Nations and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, they do not receive the appropriate reaction.

'Who benefits from the terrorist attack?'

Regarding the terrorist attack at the Crocus City Hall concert venue, he stated that Moscow cannot dismiss the possibility that Ukraine might gain advantages from the attack.

"The West is suspiciously actively convincing us, not only publicly, but also in contacts through our diplomatic missions, that Ukraine should not be suspected. Without explaining why. Although from the point of view of general logic, answering the question of who benefits from this, we cannot rule out Ukraine," Lavrov stressed.
 
"They constantly directly speak about this country [Ukraine] and its non-involvement. It is becoming obsessive," he added.

Commenting on Macron's statement regarding sending troops to Ukraine, Lavrov suggested that such remarks serve as a distraction tactic, implying that domestic issues are of little concern to him and necessitating a diversion of attention from current problems.

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"It seems to me the French activity on this 'front' is designed solely to distract in a situation where 'at home' he has unimportant affairs and it is necessary to create some diversion in the form of calls to "get Russia," the Russian Foreign minister said.

Elsewhere in his remarks, Lavrov highlighted that France was among the guarantors of an agreement between Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition in 2014.

He recalled that the agreement was swiftly disregarded, with administrative buildings seized, and instead of establishing a government of national unity for snap elections, a "government of winners" was announced, deepening divisions within Ukrainian society. Lavrov further noted that Paris had advocated numerous conflict resolution agreements in the past that were ultimately disregarded.

"And we are told about non-negotiability... If we are to talk about contractual capacity or about who has what authority, it is probably not the French or other members of the European Union, who were engaged in these 'cases' and then simply proved their uselessness," the Minister said.

Russia foils attempted isolation: Plan backfires

In the course of the interview, Lavrov addressed Politico's article outlining potential strategies against Russia, including isolating the country within its borders and distancing it from post-Soviet republics. Lavrov characterized this approach as "generous", noting that the West has numerous scenarios for what he referred to as the "decolonization" of Russia.

"It doesn't hurt to dream, as our people say," he replied.

Furthermore, Lavrov announced that following European ambassadors' refusal to meet with him prior to the Russian presidential election, all communication requests from European diplomatic representatives in Moscow to Russian authorities will now be handled by the Russian Foreign Ministry. Lavrov had previously extended an invitation to EU countries' ambassadors for a discussion before the scheduled presidential election in March, but they declined two days before the proposed meeting.
 
"They are here but do not want to communicate with the Foreign Minister. We informed them that from now on, at any level, be it an ambassador, an attache or everyone 'who is between them,' if they have an interest in communicating with the Russian authorities we will consider each such request separately and decide whether to agree to such contact or not," Lavrov added.

Discussions regarding stability in strategic relations

The Foreign Minister announced plans to convene a meeting with ambassadors from countries representing the Global Majority in April, during which he will articulate Moscow's stance on the ongoing situation in Ukraine.

Lavrov emphasized that Russia informed the United States it would be open to restarting discussions on strategic stability, but only under the condition of ensuring equality and the pursuit of a balanced representation of interests.
 
The top diplomat concluded that engaging in negotiations on sensitive topics, particularly when "war has been declared on Russia" and the US is aiding Ukraine in targeting civilian and infrastructure facilities with modern long-range weapons, is nonsensical.

“Now all diplomacy with the West is as follows: we still have embassies there, they have embassies in Russia, these embassies and consulates general need to function. Issues of financing the activities of diplomatic missions, purchasing items necessary for their activities, cars, and equipment are being discussed. These issues now constitute the main content of our contacts, in particular with the Americans,” he said.

“If we take our relations with the West, then no. On that side, there is no desire at all to resume equal cooperation. The goal is to punish us, to inflict a 'strategic defeat' on Russia," Lavrov added.
 
Russia suggested that Chisinau may be leaning toward a military resolution to the Transnistrian issue, given Moldovan authorities' rejection of negotiation proposals in the 5+2 format, the Minister highlighted.

The grain deal

Regarding the grain deal, Lavrov noted that proposals concerning shipping in the Black Sea from both the United Nations and Turkey have thus far yielded no results.
 
“There were such conversations. We heard about them. The UN Secretary-General mentioned this. We explained on what conditions we are ready to consider these proposals - on the terms of reciprocity, of course. Because the memorandum of understanding between the Russian Federation and the UN Secretariat, which should be valid for another 18 months, is not being implemented in any of its parts," Lavrov said.
 
He mentioned that the memorandum ensures that the Secretary-General will request the Western countries to lift sanctions on Russian exports of fertilizers and grain.

It is worth noting that Turkey- and UN-mediated Black Sea Grain Initiative, inked in July 2022, which aimed to establish a humanitarian corridor facilitating safe sea exports of Ukrainian and Russian agricultural products and fertilizers, lapsed on July 18, 2023. Russia declined to extend its participation, citing ongoing violations of the package deal's provision intended to ease Russian grain and fertilizer exports.

This grain deal constituted a vital component of a broader package agreement. The second component, outlined in the Russia-UN memorandum slated for three years, envisioned various measures, including the unblocking of Russian exports of food and fertilizers, the reconnection of the Russian Agricultural Bank (Rosselkhozbank) to SWIFT, the resumption of supplies of agricultural machinery, spare parts, and services, and the restoration of the Togliatti-Odessa ammonia pipeline, among others. Moscow repeatedly voiced concerns over the lack of implementation of this aspect of the package agreement.

In August last year, the Ukrainian Navy announced the establishment of temporary corridors for merchant ships navigating to or from the ports of Chernomorsk, Odessa, and Yuzhny. Navy Spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk acknowledged the current inability to ensure the complete safety of vessels traversing these temporary corridors in the Black Sea.