Russian Foreign Minister Says The West Is Pushing For A Big War In The Middle East

© Artem Geodakyan/TASS  

TASS: Lavrov blames Anglo-Saxons for pushing Middle East towards big war  

According to the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, this line of the West traditionally leads to surges in terrorism and multi-million flows of refugees 

MOSCOW, November 6. /TASS/. The Anglo-Saxon forces are pushing the Middle East towards a big war, which is leading to a surge in terrorism and millions-strong refugee flows, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.

"We can see the Anglo-Saxons literally pushing the Middle East to the brink of a big war," he pointed out, addressing the Znanie (Knowledge) marathon at the International RUSSIA EXPO. 

According to Lavrov, the West’s policy is on full display in Ukraine, Iraq, Libya and Syria. "The outcome of this policy also includes a surge in terrorism and extremism, broken lives, shattered families and millions-strong refugee flows," the top Russian diplomat added. 

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WNU Editor: I hope he is wrong. 

Russian Foreign Minister Says The West Is Pushing For A Big War In The Middle East  

Russia says West is pushing Middle East to brink of a ‘big war’ -- Middle East Monitor  

Lavrov: Anglo-Saxons Pushing Middle East towards Big War -- Palestine Chronicle  

Lavrov Says West Pushing Middle East Region To Brink Of A "Big War" -- Zero Hedge

Was Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Rushed To A Bali Hospital Because Of A 'Heart Condition'?

 

Daily Mail: Sergei Lavrov mocks reports he was rushed to hospital after arriving for G20 in Bali – but DOESN’T deny it – and says 'they've been saying Putin is sick for the last ten years – this is a game in politics' 

* Sergei Lavrov has mocked reports he suffered a heart problem at G20 summit 

* 'They've been saying Putin is sick for last ten years,' he said in video from hotel 

* But the 72-year-old diplomat did not specifically deny visiting hospital in Bali 

* Lavrov is attending the G20 instead of Putin following his invasion of Ukraine 

Russia's foreign minister has mocked reports that he was taken to hospital with a heart problem after arriving at the G20 summit in Indonesia. 

Sergei Lavrov, 72, arrived in Bali via jet yesterday evening and was taken ill early this morning with a 'heart condition', according to local officials. 

But Lavrov, who is standing in for President Vladimir Putin at the summit, appeared in photos and videos shortly afterwards showing him sitting by his hotel pool and leafing through papers ahead of the economic conference, which begins tomorrow.  

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WNU Editor: It is a staged short video clip, but he looks OK. 

As for the video clip. Who wears dress shoes in shorts? 

He also has a cell phone. I would love to know the brand. 

Was Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Rushed To A Bali Hospital Because Of A 'Heart Condition'?  

Western media reports about Sergey Lavrov’s health are ‘fake’ – Moscow -- RT  

Reports of Lavrov's Hospitalization Are Fake, Minister Prepares for G20 Summit - Video -- Sputnik  

Lavrov urges more honesty in Western media amid fake news about his hospitalization -- TASS 

Russia denies reports that foreign minister Lavrov hospitalised at Bali G20 summit -- Euronews  

Russia denies Lavrov was taken to Bali hospital and treated for heart condition ahead of G-20 summit -- CNBC  

Russian foreign ministry denies Sergey Lavrov hospitalized in Bali -- Politico  

Russia's Lavrov Denies Media Report That He Was Taken To Hospital At G20 -- Zero Hedge

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov: Says War in Syria Ended

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov © Sputnik / Ramil Sitdikov

Sputnik: Lavrov Says War in Syria Ended, Points Out Need to Overcome Crisis in Country

MOSCOW (Sputnik) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov believes that the war in Syria has come to an end and stressed the need to promote the long-lasting settlement of crisis both in the Arab republic and the whole Middle East region.

“The war in Syria has really come to an end. The country is gradually returning to a normal, peaceful life. Some hotspots of tensions remain in the territories that are not controlled by the Syrian government, such as Idlib and the eastern bank of the Euphrates,” Lavrov said in an interview with the Trud newspaper.

The minister thinks that the most important goals on Syria now are providing humanitarian aid for civilians and “promoting the political process on settling the crisis to achieve stable and long-lasting stabilization of the situation in the country and the whole Middle East region.”

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WNU Editor: The war in Syria has definitely not ended.

A Look At Russian Foreign Ministry Lavrov's Security Detail (Its Extensive)

Sergei Lavrov, Russian foreign minister, security precautions pic.twitter.com/n2f2SL6U0Q

— English Russia (@EnglishRussia1) October 15, 2017

WNU Editor: Wow .... I have never seen that much security for a Russian foreign minister .... or even for a Soviet foreign minister. That tells me that Russian intelligence believes there is a real and significant threat pending against him .... and probably against other Russian officials.

Russia On President Trump And North Korean Leader Kim Jong-Un: ‘We Have to Calm Down the Hotheads’

Foreign Policy: Lavrov on Trump, North Korea: ‘We Have to Calm Down the Hotheads’

When it comes to the escalating, personal war of words between the tetchy leaders of nuclear-armed states, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov thinks there’s been inappropriate rhetoric on both sides.

Speaking at a press briefing at the U.N. General Assembly on Friday, Lavrov likened the war of words between President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong Un to “a kindergarten fight between children. And no one can stop them.”

Trump threatened to “totally destroy” Kim’s country this week. Kim responded with an unusual personal address, labelling Trump a “mentally deranged dotard,” and floating the idea of exploding a hydrogen bomb over the Pacific. Trump, who has authority for thousands of nuclear warheads, then responded on Twitter Friday, “Kim Jong Un of North Korea, who is obviously a madman who doesn’t mind starving or killing his people, will be tested like never before!”

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Update: Russia wants Trump and Kim Jong Un to calm down (Business Insider/Reuters)

WNU Editor: Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is right when he said this today .... Washington won’t strike N. Korea as it knows Pyongyang has nukes – Lavrov (RT). But the problem is not what Washington will do .... the problem is what will Pyongyang do next.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov On The Donald Trump Jr. Story: 'They Are Wild And Making A Mountain Out Of A Molehill'

RT: ‘Wild & overblown’: Lavrov blasts media hype over Trump Jr. meeting with Russian lawyer

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says he was astonished to learn the US president’s son has been slammed for talking to a Russian lawyer. The minister has lampooned the accusations, saying they were “wild” and making a mountain out of a molehill.

“I was amazed to find out that Trump’s son is accused of talking to her [Natalia Veselnitskaya]. For me it’s basically wild, because when a person talks to a lawyer, what is the threat to anyone?” the top Russian diplomat said.

Lavrov added that he had learned about this fact from the media.

“When I turned on the TV in the morning, all the Western channels were talking about it.

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WNU Editor: He sincerely thinks the U.S. has gone nuts.

More News On Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's Remarks On The Donald Trump Jr. Coverage

Lavrov Says Wild That Trump Jr. Blamed for Meeting Russian Lawyer -- US News and World Report/Reuters
Trump Jr. emails: Russia's Lavrov says US making 'an elephant out of a fly' -- CNN
Sergey Lavrov 'bewildered' by anti-Trump accusations -- DW

Russian Foreign Minister Refutes New York Times Story That President Trump Discussed FBI Director Comey's Firing With Him

© Photo: RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTRY

Sputnik: Russian FM Lavrov Refutes Claims That He Discussed Comey's Dismissal With Trump

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has refuted the claims that he had ostensibly discussed the dismissal of the former FBI director Comey with US President Donald Trump during the minister's meeting with the US President on May 10.

Earlier this week, mainstream media outlets like the Washington Post, New York Times published articles claiming that Trump had told Lavrov that firing Comey ameliorated "great pressure."

"We did not touch on that topic at all," Lavrov told reporters on Saturday.

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Update #1: Russia's Lavrov says he did not discuss Comey with Trump: Interfax (Reuters)
Update #2: Russian FM Sergei Lavrov denies Comey firing brought up in Trump meeting (USA Today)

WNU Editor: If there is one thing that I know about the Russian Foreign Ministry and that I can share with this readership is that they usually stay away from commenting on what the U.S. news media publishes and posts. But when they come across a story that they believe is fake/fabrication/not true .... and it involves them personally .... they always react with lightning speed. What has gotten Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov all worked up is this story .... Trump told Russians that firing ‘Nut Job’ Comey eased pressure from investigation. (NYT) .... a story that has since been carried by all the major wire services and news media last night .... Report: Trump says firing ‘nut job’ Comey took off pressure (AP). This story has also eclipsed President Trump's trip to the Middle East .... being the headline in many news broadcasts. And while I do not know who the New York Times' source is and/or whether the story is true ..... I do know that Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov believes it is a fake story and a deliberate lie.

An Interview With Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.

Nationnal Interest: Sergey Lavrov - The Interview

An “absolutely artificial hysterical situation was created” in U.S.-Russia relations—but not quite yet a Cold War.

Paul Saunders, associate publisher of the National Interest, interviewed Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday, March 24, 2017, in Moscow. Their wide-ranging and blunt conversation, which lasted over an hour, covered topics from Ukraine and Syria to the 2016 U.S. presidential election and the future of U.S.-Russia cooperation.

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WNU Editor: He definitely sounds like someone who is not optimistic that U.S. - Russian relations will be improving this year.

Russian Foreign Minister: 'If It Looks Like A Terrorist, Walks Like A Terrorist, If It Fights Like A Terrorist, It's A Terrorist'

CNN: Russia's Lavrov on Syria targets: 'If it looks like a terrorist, walks like a terrorist ...'

(CNN)Russia's airstrikes in Syria "do not go beyond ISIL (ISIS), al Nusra or other terrorist groups recognized by the United Nations Security Council or Russian law," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Thursday.

Pushed to define "other terrorist groups," Lavrov said: "If it looks like a terrorist, if it acts like a terrorist, if it walks like a terrorist, if it fights like a terrorist, it's a terrorist, right?"

Lavrov was addressing reporters at the U.N. in New York Thursday, on the second day of airstrikes by Russian warplanes in Syria.

WNU Editor: I cannot remember when was the last time that a Russian foreign minister's news conference received so much coverage after a UN meeting. But such is the evolving situation in the Middle East right now.

More News On Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov's News Conference on Syria

Live: Russian FM Sergei Lavrov news briefing -- BBC
Russian FM Sergei Lavrov Holds Press Conference Following 70th UNGA Session -- Sputnik
Lavrov says Russia coordinating with Syrian military on targets -- Reuters
Russia does not consider Free Syrian Army a terrorist group, Lavrov says -- Reuters
Lavrov insists Russia and US are fighting same targets in Syria -- Politico
Russia striking IS, Al-Nusra targets in Syria, like US: Lavrov -- AFP
US and Russia Hold Talks to Clear Up Syrian Airspace -- ABC News

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Warns Of 'Incidents' Between U.S. And Russian Military In Syria

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Sergei Karpukhin

Reuters: Russia tells Washington: talk to us over Syria or risk 'unintended incidents'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday coordination was needed between Russia's military and the Pentagon to avoid "unintended incidents" around Syria, where both countries have a military presence.

Lavrov said Russia would continue to supply weapons to Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to help the Syrian armed forces fight against Islamic State militants.

He told a news conference Russia was conducting military exercises in the Mediterranean Sea, that it had been for some time, and that they were in line with international law.

Update: Russia urges US coordination over Syria -- SKY News/AFP

WNU Editor: His concerns are justified. Syria is a chaotic war zone .... any thing can happen.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Talks About Russia-NATO Relations, Ukraine, And the Arms Race

Evgeny Biyatov. © Sputnik.

Lavrov's Big Interview: Russia-NATO Relations, Arms Race and Ukraine -- Sputnik

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov shares his stance on everything that has happened in the past year. He sat down with RIA Novosti to discuss the subjects of Russian-NATO relations, the Ukrainian crisis, the Arctic race, the ongoing conflict in Syria and the emergence of the eastern giant - China.

Russia is affected by Western sanctions imposed on Moscow, especially those imposed by Europe. Our partners in the European Union are affected by the countermeasures introduced by Moscow. How efficient is it for Russia to keep the countermeasures in place? Doesn't it seem like Moscow is trying to save face by putting the well-being of Russian citizens at risk?

Read more ....

More News On Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov Comments On Russia-NATO Relations, Ukraine, And the Arms Race

Lavrov: Russia-NATO Relations in Deepest Crisis Since ‘Cold War’ -- Sputnik
Russia's Lavrov warns over U.S. anti-missile system: RIA -- Reuters
Moscow urges Kiev to launch constitutional process — Lavrov -- ITAR-TASS
Russia's Lavrov says easing of east Ukraine tensions "long way off" -- Euractiv
Russia's Lavrov says Ukraine conflict far from over -- IBTimes
As Ukraine Honors 'Day of Silence,' Lavrov Says Peace a 'Long Way Off' -- Moscow Times/Reuters
Lavrov: Ceasefire Creates Hope for Heavy Arms Pullout in Ukraine -- Sputnik
Russia says Ukraine "contact group" to meet in coming days on ceasefire plan -- Reuters
Lavrov: Washington, Damascus Must Coordinate Fight Against IS in Syria -- Sputnik
Lavrov: U.S. Didn't Ask Us To Coordinate With Assad Over IS -- Radio Free Europe
Russia's Lavrov says Moscow concerned by German leaders -- Sputnik

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: The Swedish Navy Was Chasing A 'Log In The Water', Not A Submarine

Is this it? This grainy amateur photo showing a mysterious vessel in Stockholm's archipelago was released by the Swedish military during the hunt

Lavrov Says Was Not Contacted During Swedish Submarine Hunt, Sub Could Be a ‘Log’ -- RIA Novosti

MOSCOW, October 25 (RIA Novosti) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Saturday Sweden had not contacted Russia during its week-long hunt for a foreign submarine that allegedly got into trouble in the waters off Stockholm.

Lavrov, who appeared on the Vesti v Subbotu (Vesti on Saturday) show, was asked whether Oslo had contacted Moscow via diplomatic channels following the initial reports, to which he responded with a "no".

The Russian foreign minister said he was surprised by the media hype around the purported distress signal that Sweden had intercepted in its waters.

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My Comment: This is Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov's way of mocking the Swedes.

Update: ‘Russian distress call’ prompting Swedish sub hunt never existed – sigint source -- RT

Russian Foreign Minister: Relations With US Need New 'Reset'

Russia: Relations with US Need New 'Reset' -- VOA

Russia's foreign secretary said relations between Moscow and Washington need - in his words, a new "reset" - referring to U.S. President Barack Obama's effort to improve ties with Russia in the early days of his administration.

In a Russian television interview airing Sunday, Sergey Lavrov blamed the United States for the strained ties between the two countries.

Lavrov said Russia wants to normalize the relations with the U.S., but he said "it was not Russia who destroyed them."

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Update #1: Lavrov: Russia has no desire to continue sanctions war -- ITAR-TASS
Update #2: Russia's Sergei Lavrov: the US cannot change the cold war in its 'genetic code' -- The Guardian
Update #3: Lavrov: High time to rearm, Moscow’s military upgrade long overdue -- RT

My Comment: As I have said a few times in the past .... if you want to know what the Kremlin is thinking .... listen to what Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is saying. So what is he saying (in a nutshell) .... (1) economic sanctions are hurting Russia, (2) the West is not helpful in resolving the crisis in Ukraine, (3) a new U.S. - Russian relationship and understanding has to be developed, but it will not happen in the foreseeable future, and (4) Russia is going to rearm.

An Interview With Russian Foreign Minister Sergie Lavrov

Sergei Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister. Source: Photoshot / Vostock Photo

Sergei Lavrov: The Truth Must Be Revealed -- Russia Beyond The Headlines

In an exclusive interview with RBTH on the Ukraine crisis, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says the highest priority must be an unconditional ceasefire to end the suffering of civilians. He also warns that trying to settle disputes by imposing unilateral sanctions threatens international peace and stability.

Russia Beyond the Headlines: There has been repeated speculation, particularly in the Western media, that Russian troops could be deployed in Ukraine and even that they have already crossed the border into Ukrainian territory. Is such an action possible in your view?

Sergei Lavrov: Unfortunately, the mass media continue to spread rumours, distorted information and even outright lies. Recently there were claims by Ukraine that its artillery destroyed an armoured column that had allegedly crossed from Russia into Ukraine, and the British media even said they witnessed the incursion. No evidence, however, was presented, and even the U.S. State Department could not confirm the incident. We view all such stories as part of an information war.

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My Comment: I have always said that if you want to know what Russia will be doing next ....  listen to what Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov is saying. In this interview Sergei Lavrov is very clear .... the escalating crisis in Ukraine is the number one priority for his office right now.

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Sees Ukraine Sliding Into A Civil War

Ukraine Slides Deeper Toward War as Russia Warns on Vote -- Bloomberg

Russia’s foreign minister said Ukraine is sliding into a civil war that could make it impossible to hold legitimate elections, as Ukrainian leaders and their international allies blamed Russia for the violence.

“When Ukrainians kill Ukrainians, I believe it’s as close to civil war as you can get,” Sergei Lavrov told Bloomberg Television yesterday in an interview in Moscow. “In the east and south of Ukraine, there is a war, a real war, with heavy weaponry used, and if this is something that is conducive to free and fair elections, then I don’t understand something about freedom.”

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My Comment: Sadly .... he is probably right.

Russia's Top Diplomat Knows How To Frustrate U.S. Goals (A Profile)

Veteran Diplomat Fond of Cigars, Whiskey And Outfoxing U.S. -- New York Times

MOSCOW — Secretary of State John Kerry had just made an offhand remark about how President Bashar al-Assad of Syria could avoid a military strike — and now Sergey V. Lavrov, Russia’s hard-charging foreign minister, was on the phone.

Mr. Lavrov was not about to let the moment pass.

What aides to Mr. Kerry were already trying to roll back, Mr. Lavrov seized on, telling Mr. Kerry he would immediately go public with a Russian-led proposal to dismantle the Syrian chemical weapons arsenal. That prompted a sharp response from Mr. Kerry who warned in the 14-minute call, “We are not going to play games.”

By the time Mr. Kerry’s plane landed back in Washington, the ground had shifted and on Saturday, not a week later, Mr. Kerry and Mr. Lavrov completed the plan sitting by the pool at a Geneva hotel.

It is a pact that American arms control experts have scrambled to shape and that the White House believes may be the best way to the uphold prohibitions against the use of poison gas without resorting to military force. But it is also one that the Kremlin clearly thinks serves the interests of Russia and the Syrian government.

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My Comment: Russia's foreign minister has the added benefit of dealing with senior U.S. diplomats who are not as experienced as he is in foreign affairs .... and in the case of US Secretary of State John Kerry .... Lavrov is facing a politician whose experience as a diplomat is still a work in progress.