Lavrov Terms NATO Activities on Russian Borders as Signaling Malevolent Intent

June 2, 2021 (EIRNS)—In Moscow, NATO’s military activities along Russia’s frontiers are seen as having hostile intent. Only one conclusion can be drawn from NATO’s reneging on the commitments made in the 1990s not to approach Russia’s borders, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said yesterday at his press conference after the online BRICS foreign ministers meeting:

“The conclusion is very simple: this is because they have malicious intentions regarding Russia. I wish I were wrong. To make sure that our Western colleagues really do want to restore normal relations with Russia, we want to see practical action. Our concrete proposals are on the table. But we have not seen any answers yet,”

reported the Foreign Ministry site.

Lavrov also dismissed discussing Ukraine with the Alliance, saying that doing so has no added value.

“We are open and will always be open to an honest conversation. When we are invited to the Russia-NATO Council to discuss Ukraine, we know that we will not hear anything new, that such discussions will not bring any additional value. Everything we have heard during meetings in such formats is nothing more than a repetition of the public statements our NATO colleagues make almost daily.”

At the same time, Lavrov said that Moscow is ready to discuss NATO’s fears about Russia. “If anyone discerns any far-reaching, dangerous plans in Russia’s position, we are ready to discuss this. Regrettably, NATO is not willing to do this.”