"I do not believe we need to think about how we can restore relations with Europe at all. We need to think about how not to depend on those... [decisions] in European policy, primarily trade, economic and investment, that Europe makes under the influence of Washington," Lavrov told the Primakov Readings forum in Moscow.
BRICS Contributes to Creation of Fair World Order
The top diplomat stated that BRICS develops contacts on the principles of equality and mutual respect in many spheres: from politics to culture and sports. Moreover, unlike in some Western-led organizations "no one here is forcing anyone to make certain decisions," the minister added.
BRICS is a key element of a multipolar world order, which is growing stronger, overtaking the G7, Lavrov said.
"With the addition of the BRICS economic advantage over the G7 in purchasing power parity will increase significantly... In BRICS we expect the adoption of a single payment system as early as next year," the top diplomat stressed.
Regarding the upcoming Russian chairmanship of BRICS, Lavrov emphasized that the country is determined to enhance the role of BRICS in the world and promote the creation of a fair world order.
"Next year, the Russian Federation will chair BRICS. We will do everything to strengthen the group in the international arena and [promote] the formation of a fair world order," the minister highlighted.
Russia Cannot Trust West
Discussing the current state of Russia-West relations, the minister emphasized that it is impossible to trust the West.
"When the EU will offer us something, we will think 10 times how treaty-capable they are now. And they have undermined trust very badly," Lavrov stated.
Commenting on the ties between the West and other non-Western countries, the minister highlighted that "Our immersion in contacts with the West was measurably less than India and China. And now, they are forced to defend their independence - including by cooperating with us."
Furthermore, it is the US that sabotaged a large number of arms control treaties, the top diplomat emphasized.
"Thanks to US actions, virtually the entire array of arms control treaties has been destroyed," Lavrov stated.
As for the Ukrainian crisis, the minister reminded the audience that Russia was trying to negotiate a solution to the conflict with the US since 2014, but Washington refused to talk and imposed sanctions on Russia.
"The US plan to turn Ukraine into a direct threat to Russia by exterminating everything Russian there has failed. We responded the way we responded, even though we tried to negotiate for more than eight years. And the US decided to punish us," the top diplomat clarified.
Moreover, the West in Ukraine aims to "inflict a strategic defeat" on Russia, while scaring their voters with Moscow, the minister stated, adding that the desire of the West to defeat Russia on the battlefield is a direct threat to the country's security.
West's Grip on Remnants of Its Dominance
According to Lavrov, the West is realizing changes in the world order, desperately trying to keep its grip on the planet.
"Western countries are also beginning to realize the changes in geopolitics. In particular, Macron talks about it, but as a threat... The West is trying - with all its might - to hold on to the remnants of its dominance, in a neocolonial way. The world is only annoyed," the top diplomat stressed.
The minister highlighted the unfair situation in wealth destribution as a result of globalization promoted by the West.
"[The] Unfair model of globalization, where all the benefits received by the golden billion, is a thing of the past. By the hands of Westerners blocked the work of the WTO, destroyed free competition in trade," Lavrov stated.
The Western-led organizations only serve the interests of the West, the top diplomat stressed.
"I cannot be optimistic about the fate of associations where the West reigns supreme. These platforms are obsessively turning into marginal structures of the West's selfish policy... However, we must realize that the "agony" of the West will be long: the US is still strong, the EU has not yet lost all its strength. The neocolonial instincts of the West are there: they want to continue to live at the expense of others. But the era is ending, and they realize it," the minister emphasized.
On World Order
Commenting on the current state of international relations, Lavrov clarified that the UN has fulfilled its main role - prevented a world war, but universal prosperity did not happen.
"Today, new players who represent the Global South, the Global East have entered the advance stage. This is the global majority. Russia consistently advocates the democratization of world contacts, fair distribution of benefits. The world is increasingly strengthening the rule of regional governance, from global players are expected to assist, not dictate," the top diplomat stated.
Lavrov emphasized that more and more countries want to join the SCO, at least as observers, since the organization, together with the G20, are working in favor of the formation of multilateralism.
The minister stated that Russia will pay special attention from the diplomatic perspective to respect for the UN Charter, particularly through the Group of Friends of the UN Charter, which will also expand.
"Polycentric architecture must be inclusive, must insure reliably against escalation between world centers. The main task of multipolarity is to let the peoples go their own way, the way they themselves choose. The UN needs to be adapted, addressing the historical injustices that have arisen from decolonization. In particular, the format and size of the UNSC needs to be reformed," Lavrov emphasized.
Regarding the creation of a new system of international relations, the top diplomat asked a rhetorical question: "How is the current situation better than the Cold War?"
"We will continue to fight for truth and justice for all countries, despite their weight and size, together with our partners in the Global South and East," the minister stressed.
Commenting on the Palestine-Israel conflict, Lavrov noted that the conflict has now become a point of solidarity for Arab-Muslim countries.