"Before the coup d'etat [in Ukraine], hundreds of US citizens occupied seats in ministries, just as they now allegedly have their own mercenaries, but in fact there are military officers there — there are UK and French [officers]. We are well aware of this," Lavrov said during a speech at a diplomatic forum in Antalya.
No Changes Expected Regarding Russia-US Relations After US Election
Lavrov also added that Moscow is not expecting to see any changes when it comes to bilateral ties with Washington following the US presidential election later this year.
"We are not really looking expecting any changes that the elections will bring in the United States," he said.
Macron’s Statement on Sending Troops to Ukraine ‘Serious Matter’
The statement of French President Emmanuel Macron on the possibility of the West sending troops to Ukraine is "serious," Lavrov emphasized.
"Macron, after all the exchanges that were caused by his statement, said, as I understand it, that he does not retract his words. But you mentioned that Washington has begun to dissociate itself from such a position - this is not entirely true. Indeed, [US] President Biden said something like that that we are not going to fight, and Mr. Austin, the US Secretary of Defense, came out of the hospital and said that if Ukraine was defeated by Russia, then NATO would have to fight Russia. This is a serious matter," Lavrov said during a speech at a diplomatic forum in Antalya.
Inter-Palestinian Communique Could Restore Unity
The minister also touched upon the ongoing Gaza crisis, adding that, if fulfilled, the Moscow inter-Palestinian meeting communique could become a step towards restoring unity in the region.
"In the communique, which was adopted yesterday at the meeting of the Palestinian factions in Moscow, for the first time they recorded their willingness to respect the platform of the Palestine Liberation Organization. If this does not remain a slogan, then it will be a good step forward for them to become truly united and speak the same language with the outside world," he noted.
Conversation of German Military Officials Not Entirely Surprising
“On the one hand, it is surprising, but on the other hand it is not,” Lavrov said during his speech at the forum, adding that he does not know how the “NATO colleagues” will explain themselves to their citizens.
Moldovan Leadership Caused Transnistria’s Address to Russia
Transnistria’s address to Russia was caused by the Moldovan leadership, who follows in the footsteps of the authorities in Kiev, Lavrov commented.
"Well, you know, probably, that questions should be addressed to those who caused such a statement by the Transnistrian parliament. First of all, the regime that has established in Chisinau and which is simply following in the footsteps of the Kiev regime, abolishing everything Russian, discriminating against the Russian language in all spheres and, together with Ukrainians, putting serious economic pressure on Transnistria," Lavrov noted.