Sergey Lavrov

“ I shall say bluntly, Ukraine’s entry into NATO will entail a deep crisis in Russian-Ukrainian relations. This crisis will most adversely affect pan-European security as well. So the West must also make a choice and a strategic choice at that. I think that imposing on Ukraine the role of a buffer between Europe and Russia means to belittle the importance of Ukraine itself.
It would be far more constructive for us all together to build relations with the outside world, especially as Russia and Ukraine are an integral part of Europe, of European culture, politics and economics. ”

“ Realized in Russia’s actions to defend the rights of the population in South Ossetia and Abkhazia, of whom Russian citizens form a large part, are not only the fundamental requirements of our Constitution, but also the growing support in the international community of the idea of the security of the individual, which by no means runs counter to the traditional concept of the security of the state. To kill people whom you consider your own citizens is not an internal matter. ”

“ We sincerely hope that our Ukrainian friends will succeed in finding a mutually acceptable way out of the mixed situation in which Ukrainian politics has found itself today, and that Ukraine will be able, overcoming all the difficulties, not to try to achieve its foreign policy aims in the western sector at the cost of avowedly anti-Russian actions and insulting our common, blood-cemented history. ”

“ He said in part that the world, having got rid of the Cold War, simply cannot attain a new equilibrium; that the conflict potential, including in areas close to Russia’s borders, is sufficiently high; and that there is an increasing tilt towards methods of force, even though they every time prove untenable. Political provocations, all manner of “revolutions,” and the cynical practice of double standards are brought into play. And probably it is no coincidence that those increasingly meddle in the affairs of other states who do not exactly succeed in doing things right at home. ”

“ Surely democracies do not unleash aggressive wars. Here our western partners have to choose either to be with the one who murdered Russian citizens or deny him unconditional support.
There should be no confusing the Saakashvili regime with the Georgian people, for whom we entertain a sincere feeling of friendship and sympathy. Sooner or later I am sure that the Georgian people will acquire worthy leaders who will be able to really care for their country and to develop respectful, equal and good-neighborly relations with all peoples of the Caucasus. ”

“ Thus from the seemingly right thought that not a single state can ensure its security in present-day conditions alone a conclusion is drawn in favor of the NATO-centric system of European security, at a time when NATO-centrism, bringing a split in the Euro-Atlantic community, has proved its absolute defectiveness and futility. All the more unacceptable appears to be the conclusion about the need to “arm itself,” up to and including Ukraine’s acquisition of the status of a nuclear weapon power. ”

“ Our geography and economic interdependence give tangible competitive advantages to all Commonwealth countries. The integration imperatives of globalization are here as forceful as in other regions of the world. We only need that no one should interfere by creating artificial obstacles, acting in one’s own self interest.
No matter how we may be provoked, we will continue to keep restraint and a soberness of judgment; go on firmly, but unconfrontationally upholding our interests and principles. ”

“ The mechanisms for international development assistance that are being established in Russia will help increase the extent and efficiency of our participation in the international efforts to fight hunger and disease, promote wider access to education, and overcome energy deficiencies; this will be our additional contribution to the attaining of the Millennium Development Goals. It is absolutely clear that in so doing we will pay a special attention to assisting the states that are close to us. ”

“ Only based on the acknowledgement and practical application of the key principle of indivisible security is it possible today to conduct discussions on stability in the Euro-Atlantic space and in the world as a whole. The principle of indivisible security, which is written down in the founding documents between Russia and NATO and in OSCE documents in particular, clearly states that no one should ensure his security at the expense of others. There are many examples of how our western partners try to ensure their security at our expense. ”

“ Relations between Russia and Ukraine and ties between our peoples are deeper and many-fold stronger than any conjuncture. All aspects of our multidimensional cooperation – in the political sphere, in the economic, commercial and energy fields, and first of all, at the most important level of people-to-people relations – are extremely important to us. Efforts by Russian diplomacy are directed towards ensuring that Russian-Ukrainian relations develop in an ongoing fashion and are pragmatic and mutually beneficial. ”

“ We will not let ourselves be drawn into any confrontation. If, however, partners are not ready for joint action, Russia will be forced to go it alone in defending its national interests, but always on the basis of international law. Firmly based on international law and the Constitution and laws of Russia, we are going to protect the life and dignity of our citizens, wherever they may be, to support the interests of Russian business and to develop privileged relations with Russia’s friends in various regions. ”

“ One may not abstractly invoke ‘responsibility to protect’ and be outraged when this principle is used in practice in strict conformity with Article 51 of the UN Charter and other norms of international law. In South Ossetia, Russia defended the very highest of our common values, the most essential human right – the right to live.
The existing security architecture of Europe did not pass the test of the recent events. ”

“ We have in fact shared all the tragedies of Europe in the 20th century, when the continent’s western part used to set the tone in European civilization. Now, with the end of the Cold War, truly collective decisions are possible in the Euro-Atlantic area, but which are unthinkable without the equal participation of Russia. ”

“ The world displayed an unprecedented solidarity by rejecting old phobia and stereotypes. It seemed that the global antiterrorist coalition had become a new reality that from then on would define the development of international relations which would be free from double standards and beneficial to all. ”

“ Especially as the dust is beginning to settle, and all are beginning to ask themselves the necessary questions, the answers to which require facts. And the facts are on our side. In response to the judgment about Russia solely in the form of slogans like “Russia started war against Georgia!”, “Russia is an occupier” and so forth our country is presenting the truth which just can’t be brushed away and our truth is carving its way into western media as well. ”

“ People in Russia were simply shocked by the reaction of Ukraine over Georgia’s aggression against South Ossetia. For our nations and peoples it had always been natural to take the side of truth and justice. ”

“ The only reasonable way forward is pragmatic and sensible cooperation, without self-deception and illusions, which the partners have definitively freed us of. The criterion for our relations can only be total reciprocity.
In the actions of our opponents it is hard not to discern a striving – at the level of the subconscious – to somehow make up for the lack of obedience on the part of Russia. ”

“ Recently, among the priorities of the UN some new pressing issues have emerged on its agenda such as prevention of climate change and food and energy security. These problems are global in nature; they are interrelated and can only be addressed through global partnership at a new qualitative level – with an active involvement of governments, science and business community, and civil society.
A special urgent attention and synergy of efforts is called for by the current financial crisis. ”

“ As before, we believe that contemporary conflicts have no force-based solutions, of which the failure of Saakashvili’s aggression is but one more confirmation. Their solution should be sought through engaging all the parties in dialogue and negotiation, not through isolating some one of them. ”