Question: What, in your opinion, should be the role of the Group of Twenty today, and what tasks does it face in the year of Brazil’s presidency in this association?
Sergey V. Lavrov: The Group of Twenty was originally created as an economic format. This decision was caused by the fact that in 2008 the United States faced an acute financial crisis. Then the largest economies were able to develop effective solutions.
At the same time, it became clear that one cannot rely on one center of economic power. Therefore, the G20 has been conducting a dialogue in recent years regarding the reform and restoration of the functioning of global economic institutions.
The positive dynamics of this forum is largely due to the fact that emerging market countries show independence and insist on fair consideration of their interests. The declaration adopted at the end of the Delhi Summit in 2023 sets out the priorities of developing countries. Joining the “Group of Twenty” of the African Union was a serious achievement.
We positively assess the Brazilian initiative to hold a meeting of the G20 foreign ministers on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly.
The agenda of the Brazilian presidency of this association is in line with Russian plans for the BRICS, where Russia holds the presidency in 2024. Brazil has invited the New BRICS Development Bank to cooperate with the Group of Twenty. The focus on overcoming the challenges of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals is fully justified. It is necessary to develop balanced solutions for energy transition, digital transformation, restoration of supply chains, access to energy resources and food. It is important that the G20 countries commit themselves not to use the economy as a weapon and refrain from unfair competition.
Question: Brazil and Russia are partners in the framework of the BRICS, an association that has recently been expanded to include new countries such as Iran. How important is BRICS for Russia in its foreign policy and in its vision of global geopolitics? Are the BRICS countries Russia’s main allies today?
Sergey V. Lavrov: Strengthening the potential and role of BRICS in world affairs is our priority.
Within the framework of the association, equal interaction is carried out between countries representing various economic and political systems, religions and macroregions. His international reputation is steadily growing. The addition of five new participants from January 1 of this year is proof of this. BRICS is one of the pillars of the multipolar world.
Since January 1, Russia has been chairing the BRICS. The program
for 2024 includes more than 200 events. We will promote the organic integration of new participants into the work of the association.
Question: Two years have passed since the start of the special military operation. A number of options for ending the conflict are currently being discussed, but what is the ultimate goal of the special operation at the moment?
Sergey V. Lavrov: The goals and objectives of the special military operation were outlined by the President of the Russian Federation V.V. Putin. This is the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, the elimination of threats to Russia’s security emanating from its territory.
For a sustainable and fair settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, it is necessary to eliminate its root causes. The West should stop pumping Ukraine with weapons, and Kiev should stop fighting. Ukraine must return to a neutral, non-aligned and nuclear-free status, and respect the rights and freedoms of citizens. It is necessary to take into account the new territorial realities, the situation “on the ground”.
Neither Kiev nor the West demonstrate the political will to resolve the conflict. We have no choice, the special military operation will continue until its objectives are achieved.
Question: Respecting its diplomatic traditions, Brazil condemned the special military operation, as well as sanctions against Russia, as well as the sending of weapons to Kiev by countries such as the United States. The Special Assistant to the President of Brazil for International Affairs, S. Amorim, met with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and with V. Zelensky in Kiev. How do you assess Brazil’s role in resolving the conflict? Can she become a possible mediator or an assistant in negotiations, since she is in contact with both sides?
Sergey V. Lavrov: We appreciate Brazil’s commitment to promote a political and diplomatic settlement. In April 2023, Brazilian President L.Lula da Silva proposed the creation of a “group of friends of the settlement.” We have been attentive to the initiative of our Brazilian friends.
Russia is open to a peaceful settlement of the conflict. However, our opponents in Kiev and in the West are fixated on promoting V. Zelensky’s “formula”, which represents an unacceptable ultimatum to Russia, and categorically reject other initiatives, including the Brazilian one. To begin with, Kiev will have to lift the ban on dialogue
with Moscow, which he introduced for himself.
Question: There is now a relative consensus in Europe on the issue of support for the Ukrainian government and relations
with the Russian Federation. How do you see the future of contacts between Moscow and European countries? Do you think that normalization of relations is possible in the near future?
Sergey V. Lavrov: The European Union countries imposed enmity with Russia on themselves. It’s up to them to decide what to do with this choice. Given the mood of Brussels to inflict a “strategic defeat” on us, there is no need to talk about the prospects for restoring relations.
If the European states abandon the Russophobic course and put forward realistic ideas about new principles of relations, we will study them. We will be determined based on our national interests.
Question: The United States is in the midst of an election race,
and the main struggle is likely to unfold between two well-known presidents in Moscow, J.Biden and D. Trump. A number of analysts and even officials hinted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would prefer Donald Trump to return to the White House and, perhaps, even wait for his victory in November this year to begin negotiations to end the conflict over Ukraine. I would like to hear your opinion on these arguments and ask if the Kremlin really has a preferred candidate?
Sergey V. Lavrov: Russia is viewed by the ruling elite of the United States, regardless of party affiliation, as an opponent and a threat. During his four years in the White House, the former president did nothing to improve Russian-American relations.
We have no illusions, we do not expect that the anti-Russian course of the United States will change in the foreseeable future. We are ready to work with any leader whom the American people trust. It is not the figure of a politician that is important to us, but what kind of policy he pursues towards Russia. This was stated by Russian President Vladimir Putin in a television interview the other day.
