Russia ‘for First Time in History’ is Fighting a War without a Single Ally in the West, Lavrov Concedes

Paul Goble

            Staunton, July 28 – Russia’s senior diplomat, long-serving Sergey Lavrov, has conceded that Russia finds itself in an unprecedented situation: it is fighting a war “alone against the entire West” and thus, in contrast to the situation in the two world wars of the 20^th century, must rely on itself alone

            Europe, “historically Russia’s main trading partner,” has become hostile, he says; and “the US has lost ‘respect for the Kremlin,” something that was not the case “even in the era of the Cold War” when “there was mutual respect” and continuing contacts. Now, there is neither (aif.ru/politics/lavrov-rossiya-vpervye-v-istorii-odna-voyuet-protiv-vsego-zapada).

Moscow is open for dialogue with Western countries, Lavrov says; but it wil continue to insist on what it considers is “legitimate demands” as far as security is concerned, including a commitment by Ukraine not to join NATO, the expansion of that alliance to the east and the recognition of “realities on the ground” as far as the annexation of Ukrainian land is concerned.

European leaders have lost a sense of reality, the Russian foreign minister continues; but US President Donald Trump who has “offered the Kremlin a generous deal that includes easing sanctions and recognizing the Russian annexation of Crimea is ‘acting on common sense.” The American leader is “a pragmatist who doesn’t want any wars” – unlike the Europeans.