New York: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Tuesday accused the US of keeping Western countries in its camp by ‘fearing weapons’ and hindering international cooperation. The US Ambassador to the United Nations called it Russia’s ‘hypocrisy’ and said that the country that attacked its neighbor Ukraine is talking about global cooperation. This allegation and counter-allegation took place at an event organized by Russia this month during its presidency of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC). Its theme was ‘Multilateral cooperation for a more just, democratic and sustainable world order.’ Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov came to the United Nations from Moscow to chair the meeting. Just before the meeting, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United Nations Sergei Kislitsya read a statement on behalf of nearly 50 countries, including the US. The joint statement said that the international community should not be distracted by Russia’s ‘gross violation’ of Ukraine’s territorial integrity and its ‘devious attempt to present itself as the guardian of the multilateral system’. The countries condemned Russia’s actions against Ukraine, North Korea’s military assistance to Russia in violation of UN sanctions, and Iran’s violations of rules while UN sanctions were in effect. The statement said, ‘Russia’s continued illegal actions and blatant hypocrisy undermine multilateral and international cooperation and increase regional tensions, and endanger international peace and security.’
‘Attempt to control Russia and China’
At the same time, Lavrov targeted the US, citing a quote from George Orwell’s famous novel ‘Animal Farm’. He said, ‘All animals are equal, but some are more equal than others.’ After this, he targeted the ‘reckless expansion’ of NATO (North Atlantic Treaty Organization) in Europe despite Russia’s repeated warnings and said that the ‘special military operation’ in Ukraine was launched to eliminate threats to Russia’s security. Lavrov accused the US of doing everything possible to destroy the global order, so as to control Russia, China and other countries, whose independent policies are seen as a challenge to its dominance.
Western countries are hostages of America
He said, ‘The Americans are holding all Western countries hostage at gunpoint and are increasing trade and economic war with countries they consider undesirable.’ Lavrov called for peace in Ukraine on the conditions set by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which Ukraine has rejected. He called for recognition of the multipolar world order, ending injustice in the global economy and reform of the United Nations, international financial institutions and other global organizations.
Reacting to Lavrov’s 20-minute speech, US Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield said, “I think I am in the wrong place because it seemed like a session of complaining about the US and Western countries and I rarely heard mention of the world’s multilateralism.” She said Russia is eroding trust in global institutions. The US ambassador said Russia deliberately and openly violates the basic principles of the UN Charter, territorial integrity and respect for human rights, does not show a sense of international allyship.
