Lavrov says hybrid war waged against Russia aimed at demonizing country

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Tuesday said the West is waging a hybrid war against Russia, aimed at demonizing the country and accusing it of "all mortal sins."

Speaking at an opening meeting of the International Russophile Movement in Moscow, a gathering of Russia lovers, Lavrov said even in wartime, Russia does not push anyone to take this or that position.

"The countries of the global South, the world majority, are able to draw conclusions themselves," he said.

The minister added that even in the West there are people, realizing the "perniciousness" of the course to which "those who lead the Western world today, who built it under their own leadership, are trying to push humanity."

"We all know, this is publicly proclaimed, that the US, the Anglo-Saxons, let's be honest, have taken the reins of government into their own hands and directly, without hesitation, tell Europe that it needs to forget about strategic autonomy. ... You all, they say, will do as we decided," Lavrov said, adding there are a lot of Europeans who disagree with this position.

The diplomat thanked all foreigners who came to Moscow, praising a step as "an act of courage," deserving "the deepest respect."

The minister said the West perceives events similar to the movement's meeting as a "challenge to hegemony" and the world order.

"Undoubtedly, the hybrid war, which has been preparing for many years and is now unleashed against Russia, aims -- this is also openly stated -- to demonize our country in the eyes of the world community, accuse it of all mortal sins," he argued.

Commenting on EU President Ursula von der Leyen's words of gratitude to US President Joe Biden for helping to reduce Europe’s dependence on Russian energy, Lavrov said this "thank you" should be considered "through the lens of energy costs going up by more than three times."

Lavrov said he expects that high energy prices will seriously affect the competitiveness of the EU and Europe's economy.

"We do not call anyone to a 'holy war' against the West, ... this war is being imposed on us by those ... who decided that Russia is an obstacle to their dominance in the world, which is not the case.

"We are not trying to restrain someone from exercising legitimate interests. But when they declare the need to subordinate the whole world to the North Atlantic alliance, that Asia is already a territory where it should command everything, I think the sense of justice, inherent in the Russian people and the vast majority of all world civilizations, should have its weighty say," he noted.

By creating military blocs such as AUKUS and moving NATO's military infrastructure to Asia, the West creates conditions for "confrontation for years to come," he said.

According to Lavrov, the "fundamental difference" of the International Russophile Movement from Western alliances is that it is created to promote cooperation, and not to bully anyone.

The minister said the movement and the people participating could be "persecuted" and criticized in the Western media.

"It is all the more important for us to remain honest, committed to the best international traditions of friendship between peoples," he stressed.