Russia ‘not chasing anyone’ to lift sanctions, says Lavrov
The foreign minister has stated that US restrictions have significantly impacted bilateral trade. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that trade between Russia and the United States has dramatically declined due to what he termed...
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The foreign minister has stated that US restrictions have significantly impacted bilateral trade.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that trade between Russia and the United States has dramatically declined due to what he termed Washington’s “illegal sanctions.” He emphasized that Moscow is “not chasing after anyone” to have these restrictions lifted.
Following Crimea's reunification with Russia in 2014, the US and its allies imposed punitive measures against Moscow, which were further intensified under former US President Joe Biden's administration following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022.
In an interview with Kommersant, Lavrov expressed that the globalization of the world economy has been severely impacted by these sanctions, which he described as “the only tool of [Biden’s] foreign policy.” He also noted that the administration of President Donald Trump had initiated discussions on trade and economic cooperation with Moscow during their early contacts, revealing that their foreign policy decisions were driven by material interests.
According to Lavrov, economic cooperation between the US and Russia has decreased “by about 95% compared to the peak of around $30 billion ten years ago, mostly due to illegal sanctions.” He added that any future cooperation is contingent upon Washington, reiterating, “We are not chasing anyone or asking for sanctions to be lifted.”
Russia has consistently condemned Western sanctions as illegal and ineffective, claiming that they have failed to destabilize its economy or isolate it from the global financial system. Instead, these measures have had adverse effects on the countries that imposed them. As a result, Russia has been shifting its trade focus towards Asia and the Global South, particularly China and India.
In March, Trump mentioned that Washington might contemplate lifting certain sanctions on Russia to facilitate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is a crucial maritime agreement that ensures safe navigation in the Black Sea and could serve as a step towards resolving the Ukraine conflict. However, on Saturday, Trump extended the restrictions for another year, citing that Moscow continues to pose a significant threat to American national security.
Lavrov emphasized the need for Russia to reduce dependence on foreign partners in critical sectors, even in a scenario where sanctions are lifted, aligning with President Vladimir Putin’s call to maintain economic sovereignty.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov pointed out that trade between Russia and the United States has dramatically declined due to what he termed Washington’s “illegal sanctions.” He emphasized that Moscow is “not chasing after anyone” to have these restrictions lifted.
Following Crimea's reunification with Russia in 2014, the US and its allies imposed punitive measures against Moscow, which were further intensified under former US President Joe Biden's administration following the escalation of the conflict in Ukraine in 2022.
In an interview with Kommersant, Lavrov expressed that the globalization of the world economy has been severely impacted by these sanctions, which he described as “the only tool of [Biden’s] foreign policy.” He also noted that the administration of President Donald Trump had initiated discussions on trade and economic cooperation with Moscow during their early contacts, revealing that their foreign policy decisions were driven by material interests.
According to Lavrov, economic cooperation between the US and Russia has decreased “by about 95% compared to the peak of around $30 billion ten years ago, mostly due to illegal sanctions.” He added that any future cooperation is contingent upon Washington, reiterating, “We are not chasing anyone or asking for sanctions to be lifted.”
Russia has consistently condemned Western sanctions as illegal and ineffective, claiming that they have failed to destabilize its economy or isolate it from the global financial system. Instead, these measures have had adverse effects on the countries that imposed them. As a result, Russia has been shifting its trade focus towards Asia and the Global South, particularly China and India.
In March, Trump mentioned that Washington might contemplate lifting certain sanctions on Russia to facilitate the Black Sea Grain Initiative, which is a crucial maritime agreement that ensures safe navigation in the Black Sea and could serve as a step towards resolving the Ukraine conflict. However, on Saturday, Trump extended the restrictions for another year, citing that Moscow continues to pose a significant threat to American national security.
Lavrov emphasized the need for Russia to reduce dependence on foreign partners in critical sectors, even in a scenario where sanctions are lifted, aligning with President Vladimir Putin’s call to maintain economic sovereignty.
Sophie Wagner for TROIB News
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