Russia reaffirms it has no 'aggressive plans' against EU, NATO members

ISTANBUL

Russia reiterated Thursday that it has no "aggressive plans" against NATO or EU members and that it is ready to guarantee this in writing.

“We have no aggressive plans, as President (Vladimir Putin) has clearly stated, against either NATO or EU members. We are prepared to formalize the corresponding guarantees in writing, in a legal document. Naturally, on a collective, reciprocal basis,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said while addressing a roundtable discussion in Moscow with ambassadors and representatives of international organizations.

Lavrov said that recent talks between Putin and US President Donald Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Moscow resolved the “misunderstandings and miscommunications” between the two countries that arose after the Alaska summit in August.

He added that the Russian side continues to build on the understandings reached with Washington at the summit, as part of which he said they conveyed “additional proposals” regarding collective security guarantees.

“We understand that discussions on security guarantees cannot be limited to Ukraine alone,” he said.

Lavrov said Russia is ready to consider all available proposals “formulated in a collective context” that will lead to the conclusion of legally binding agreements, adding: “We don't want one crisis to be immediately followed by another.”

He also accused Western countries of trying to exploit the ongoing Russia-Ukraine war to divert attention from “other crucial issues” facing the global community, including Palestine.

"We are witnessing attempts to exploit the sense of urgency related to all the debates regarding Ukraine, including within international forums, for diverting attention from other challenges the international community faces, which can be even more fateful and critical, not less. I am referring to the Palestinian issue," he said.

He said Russia has yet to see the document that is being discussed and commented on by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his Western partners.

"The opposite side wants to guarantee security only for Ukraine, and the guarantees, judging by the information that gets into the press, are provided in such a way as to prepare another attack on the Russian Federation," he said.

Lavrov highlighted Zelenskyy's active contacts with European partners, arguing that his efforts are aimed at undermining Trump's efforts.

He said Europe is striving to insert itself into the settlement process, but the ideas it nurtures will not benefit the negotiations, with so far "a militaristic frenzy prevailing" from Europe.

“They need to take a look at themselves and focus on serious matters rather than continuing propaganda and agitation," he said.

Turning to the situation in Sudan, Lavrov said Russia strongly urged both the government of the transitional Sovereignty Council Chairman, Abdel Fattah al-Burhan, and those opposing him to engage in dialogue and negotiations.

"I am confident that we should now concentrate not on constantly condemning anyone in the public space but on seeking practical solutions to this issue. We are ready to assist in this endeavor. We have such capabilities. If your government agrees, we will strive to utilize these opportunities," he said.

Regarding US operations against Venezuela, Lavrov described them as "a serious problem."

"The US is actively promoting a policy whereby, as they claim, they have the right to destroy ships transporting drugs without a judicial process, without an investigation, simply based on the information they possess," he said.

Lavrov urged Washington to provide the global community with strong evidence supporting their actions in the Caribbean and to turn to legal means of solving problems.