Lavrov criticizes the West: 'The tragedy in Gaza is being deliberately downplayed'

According to a statement from the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov spoke at the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Stating that the former Soviet Union and the US had established a foundation for controlling military risks and ensuring solid strategic security, particularly in Europe, but that this has been destroyed, Lavrov said, "Under Western provocation, the foundations of international communication are being undermined, and universal legal norms, including the sovereign equality of states, non-interference in internal affairs, and the right of peoples to self-determination, as well as the principles of the United Nations (UN) Charter, are being violated."

Claiming that double standards are being applied, Lavrov stated that the West is trying to impose its own rules on countries instead of international law, using the expression: "At the root of this policy lies colonialism and a desire to establish dominance in political, economic, and humanitarian spheres."

Lavrov expressed that NATO had promised not to advance toward Russian borders but has nevertheless pursued a policy of expansion, saying, "Energy and food supply chains are being disrupted. This fuels hunger, poverty, and inequality. Furthermore, the scale of the tragedy in Gaza is being deliberately downplayed. The number of civilian casualties here, including women and children, is higher than the number of people who died on both sides in the Donbas over 10 years following the coup in Kyiv."

Stating that he does not believe solutions to threats to global security and accumulated problems will be found at the G20, Lavrov emphasized that cooperation in the fields of economy and trade must be "open" and "equal."

Minister Lavrov stated, "Global banks and foundations should finance countries in need for the purpose of ensuring sustainable development, not military targets and aggressive regimes."