Lavrov says Tomahawk missile deployment to Kiev threatens dialogue between Russia and the US.

247 - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the potential supply of Tomahawk missiles to Kiev would have devastating consequences for bilateral relations. The minister accused the European Union of trying to turn the conflict in Ukraine into a "Trump war." 

“This will represent a colossal blow to the prospects for normalizing relations between Russia and the United States, and for overcoming the total impasse in which the Biden administration has placed them,” he stated. The statements were given in an interview with the newspaper. Kommersant and reproduced by the Russian agency TASS this Wednesday (15).

“I never imagined that Europe would be so eager to destroy its relations with the United States. Europe is proving that it was, in fact, the source and initiator of all world wars and others, including colonial and slavery wars.”

According to the Russian minister, "Europe wants to turn this into a Trump war as quickly and reliably as possible." The foreign minister also stated that the Europeans and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky were issuing ultimatums to the current US president.

In the interview, the foreign minister mocked European accusations that Russia was involved in drone incidents. "What else haven't they accused us of already? Drones flying like flies? None of the drones were carrying military cargo."

Alaska

The foreign minister said that officials from his country and the United States are not yet planning high-level contacts after the presidential summit in Alaska. The region is located in the far northwest of North America and separates the west coast of the continent from Russian territory. 

According to the minister, Moscow is awaiting concrete answers from Washington regarding the results of the meeting. 

The U.S. purchased Alaska from Russia in 1867 for approximately $156 million. Alaska was officially incorporated into the U.S. in 1959. Over the decades, Russians have criticized the way the purchase process was handled and alleged irregularities. 

“Working contacts continue through various channels on different topics. High-level contacts are not yet planned. We are still awaiting a concrete response to the results of the negotiations in Alaska,” Lavrov said.

According to him, the President of the United States, Donald Trump, stated that he needed to consult with his allies before moving forward with the negotiations. "The consultation process appears to be underway," the minister added.

Dollar

The minister also noted that, since Donald Trump's return to the White House, there have been no concrete measures to restore confidence in the dollar. "The processes of distancing from the dollar continue in the BRICS, the Shanghai Cooperation Organisation, and CELAC," he said.

One of the main fronts of resistance to US political and economic hegemony on a global level, BRICS is discussing the implementation of a common currency among the group's countries, which would reduce dependence on the dollar in a large part of international transactions. 

Relations with China and Merkel

Lavrov dismissed any possibility of a Russian alliance against China. "That idea cannot even cross anyone's mind," he stated. He added that the proposal for trilateral talks between Russia, the United States, and China on strategic stability remains on the agenda.

The chancellor also expressed surprise at the change in stance of former German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who has begun to support the "revanchist" speeches of the current German Chancellor, Friedrich Merz, leader of the right wing in the European country. 

“After retiring, she suddenly began supporting Merz’s revanchist slogans. I was surprised to see her speak enthusiastically about his tirade on a ‘strong new Germany’”.