Lavrov's Strong Words: “This is the Western manner, their megalomania and habit of constantly lying in order to justify their own lawlessness.”

Lavrov spoke those words today in an interview with the Bosnian Serb radio and radio company Radio and Television Republika Srpska. I wrote the following parsing for the MoA blog. The one difference will be my inclusion of the interview's concluding Q&As I omitted. The entire linked transcript for now is only in Russian, so the translation is via machine and contains the usual oddities. Aside from the language used as cited above, Lavrov voices some other outstanding points particularly regarding future relations with the Western Outlaws led by the Anglo-Saxons. Do pay attention as they also merit a headline. This interview differs from others in one important manner which is apparent from the outset. All emphasis is mine:

"Question (translated from Serbian): This sad occasion provided an opportunity for our viewers, including those from Europe, to hear another point of view – the Russian side. Let's start with the Russian-Ukrainian conflict. Since February 24, this has become the main world news. Little is known about what preceded it. Why did Russia decide on a special military operation in Ukraine at this very moment?

"Sergey Lavrov: At the beginning of your question, you said that it is important that Europe and the West know a different point of view. Serbia (where my visit will soon take place) is doing everything to ensure freedom of speech, fulfillment of its obligations within the framework of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, to provide all OSCE citizens without exception with access to information. The West is not fulfilling these obligations. What I will tell you about is unlikely to be perceived by the media in Western European countries, in NATO member countries, the European Union, which have introduced and continue to impose prohibitive sanctions against the broadcasting of Russian media. TV channels and news agencies are blacklisted.

"You said before February 24 of this year, few people understood what was happening. This issue is from the same series we just talked about. All these long years, the West "hushed up" the severity of the situation, which was only escalating."

So, it appears NATO nations violated other OSCE Treaty(ies) on media and free speech, although Lavrov doesn't specify which ones, although I know he's spoke of them before. Lavrov then relates the events we all know so well that began in 2014 with a sidebar about Kosovo in 2013 as an EU behavioral example. Lavrov closes his history with these comments:

"It is a pity that in Europe it seems that until February 24 of this year, no one understood what was happening. This says only one thing – Western politicians did not want to touch upon these topics in the media space, so that their population, voters understood what was really happening.

"Recently, President of Russia Vladimir Putin described the United States and the 'collective West' it leads as an 'empire of lies.' It was formed a long time ago: the filtering of the media space, a direct violation of OSCE commitments to ensure free unhindered access to any information, to sources that are located both in your country and abroad. All this has long been buried by the West."

In response, the questioner asks a profound question no other non-Russian journalist has asked:

"Russia is accused of the SMO, but at the same time the West constantly sends weapons to Ukraine. So who is involved in the conflict: Russia and Ukraine or Russia and someone else?"

Here's Lavrov's entire answer to that remarkable query:

Sergey Lavrov: Ukraine is a bargaining chip, a tool that is being manipulated primarily by the United States and Great Britain. Such an Anglo-Saxon collective, which is now headed by the West. NATO and the European Union, which has lost its independence for quite a long time, are fully obedient to it. They rule the Ukrainians as an instrument of containing our country (as it is now called its "exhaustion") and defeating Russia "on the battlefield." These are the words uttered by the head of European diplomacy Jean-Pierre Borrell, Boris Johnson, and some politicians in the United States: Russia, Putin must be defeated on the battlefield.

Mariupol, Azovstal - all tasks were solved and with minimal losses. You know that President Vladimir Putin gave an order not to storm Azovstal. As a result of the siege, the notorious thugs from the Azov battalion who were there simply surrendered. They are now testifying. I think that they will tell a lot of interesting things about how this neo-Nazi theory and practice were embodied in the daily life of the Ukrainian state, including under President Zelensky. [My Emphasis]

You see how Ukraine is being pumped with weapons and heavy weapons. Now the Americans are giving multiple rocket launchers. Immediately, the British made a fuss, who, apparently, were waiting for the go-ahead from Washington: they say, and now we will give the Ukrainians MLRS. It's a risky path. At the same time, they declare that "they are fighting with the Russians, the Ukrainians are dying – let them die, and we only give weapons," which, in the end, will lead to the death of even more Ukrainians.

This is to answer the question of whether there are any prospects for negotiations. The West does not allow Ukraine to negotiate. Two months ago, Ukraine seemed to put forward a proposal on how to resolve this issue. We took these proposals as a basis. So a day later, the West forbade Ukrainians to continue this process. They toughened their position, there was a provocation in the village of Bucha, which was obviously staged. Three days after Russian servicemen left the area: people lived there, the mayor was driving through the streets. And only three days later the bodies were found there. So far, the names of the victims in Bucha, shown by Western television channels and social networks, no one has presented to anyone and did not announce information about what kind of injuries these people had, which led to their death. This once again shows that the West does not want to present any facts to anyone. It is important for him to throw a provocation, to make a loud noise out of it. Then, when people start trying to understand the facts, they "put it aside" and come up with a new fake news.

Of course, Lavrov's answer doesn't surprise us regular MoA readers at all, nor do any of his other revelations. Lavrov is then asked to comment upon the sanctions and their sixth set. He relates much we already know then specifically deals with #6 and what will be the very, very long term affects of all the illegalities:

"As for us, the 'sixth package', restrictions on the supply of hydrocarbons by sea. Oil, by and large, does not obey politics, there is a demand for it. Oil markets do not follow political 'orders', 'whims'. We have alternative markets, where we are already increasing sales. Given the price level that has been established as a result of western policy, we do not have any budget losses. On the contrary, this year we will significantly increase the profits received from the export of our energy resources.

"We are learning from all of this. Never again should we rely on these people. That doesn't mean we won't talk to them at all. When they get 'crazy,' we'll see what they tell us. In no case, from now on and forever, should we allow any critical spheres of life of our state, the lives of our people to depend on investments and technologies from Western countries.

Wow!! The Outlaw US Empire got its decoupling Big Time. "Forever" is a very long time. I'm sure a lot of ordinary Europeans will hear those words and their hearts will sink as their hopes for their future wellbeing are now sunk. The questioning switches to how this all is affecting BiH, where in his answer Lavrov points out further lawbreaking being done at the behest of the Outlaw US Empire:

Question (translated from Serbian): The West insists on its exclusivity. In the situation of the Russian-Ukrainian conflict, he does not allow anyone to be neutral. The Republika Srpska, because of the complex configuration of Bosnia and Herzegovina, is in a more difficult situation than Serbia. It defends its position so that BiH does not impose sanctions against Russia. Given that some ambassadors to the UN Security Council or the Council of Europe are under the direct influence of Sarajevo and speak from the position of their political parties, and not state institutional decisions. How does Russia perceive the position of Bosnia and Herzegovina?

Sergey Lavrov: BiH's position is important if it is based on the Principles of Dayton, which state that all decisions should be made on the basis of the consent of two entities and three state-forming peoples. The fact that the West is now trying to illegally encourage the actions of Sarajevo, to make foreign policy decisions without any consideration of the position of the Republika Srpska, is a gross violation of Dayton.

I gave an example when the West lied: that NATO would not expand, that the Minsk agreements on Donbass would be implemented, that the Community of Serb Municipalities of Kosovo would be created. Likewise, he lies that he is committed to the Dayton Accords. In fact, the West is doing everything to persuade, in particular, Croats, to agree to continue to be represented in the general bodies by Bosniaks or people who fully agree with them politically. I do not want to say that the Bosniaks are wrong in any way, but simply the Dayton Principles require the consent of the three state-forming peoples.

As for Bosnia's independence. Note that the Americans have a special ambassador for electoral reform in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This says a lot about how "independent" the authorities in Sarajevo are.

Question (translated from Serbian): Not only the Americans have such an ambassador, but the British have a special envoy, and the Germans too. They believe that they can interfere in internal affairs. At the same time, any words of the Russian ambassador to Bosnia and Herzegovina, for example, on the issue of NATO, they call Russia's interference in the internal affairs of the country.

Sergey Lavrov: This is the Western manner, their megalomania and habit of constantly lying in order to justify their own lawlessness.

You mentioned the special representatives. There is a High Representative for BiH, his function was indeed laid down in the Dayton Accords. It clearly stated that he should be appointed for a short period. Back in 2006, the Steering Committee of the BiH Peace Implementation Council decided that it was time to "close the shop" and abolish the post of High Representative. But under various artificial, far-fetched pretexts, this process was delayed. When the term of the previous High Representative expired, we said that it was time to move to a more respectful policy towards Bosnia and Herzegovina. The country has been independent for decades, it is still ruled by some appointed representative who has priority by all state bodies of Bosnia and Herzegovina. In response to this, the West told us that it is necessary to continue this practice. The only goal is to keep the whole of Bosnia and Herzegovina in suspense and not to let go of itself. At the same time, the disobedient, represented by the Republika Srpska, should also be conquered and subordinated to this dictate.

K. Schmidt from Germany was appointed as a gross violation of the procedure that should have been applied. First, this procedure provides for the nomination of such a candidate with the consent of all members of the Governing Council, and no one asked Russia. Secondly, there had to be the consent of all three state-forming peoples. Thirdly, there had to be a decision of the UN Security Council. The West has abandoned all this. As a compromise, we and China proposed in the UN Security Council to approve, as it should be, a High Representative, but for a period of one year. During this year, prepare proposals on how to transfer the authority of governing one's country to the Bosnian State itself. The West was categorically opposed, which means only one thing: it still wants to manipulate Bosnia in its own interests and make it another springboard for the spread of NATO, for the expansion of the alliance in the Balkans.

I have never, ever read Lavrov use the following language despite its truthfulness:

"This is the Western manner, their megalomania and habit of constantly lying in order to justify their own lawlessness."

What follows is the remaining Q&As that're closed by my conclusion.

Question (translated from Serbian): Due to the non-recognition of Karl Schmidt as High Representative, the authorities of the Republika Srpska experience pressure and criticism from the West almost daily. Sarajevo is looking forward to further steps by K. Schmidt, whom republika Srpska does not recognize as High Representative, so that he imposes his next decision and bans the nomination of M. Dodik in the upcoming October general elections in BiH. Does such an official, who has not been approved by the UN Security Council, have the right to make and impose any decisions at all?

Sergey Lavrov: Of course it can't. I have already said that this is an illegal activity. This man has no legitimacy. I have no doubt that the West will try to create another lawlessness. What is being done with regard to M. Dodik is outrageous. He is one of the few politicians who really defends the Dayton principle. M. Dodik did not do anything in the Republika Srpska and within the framework of the work of the Presidium, which contradicts the Dayton Agreements. This is exactly what Westerners and, unfortunately, Bosniaks are doing. The West wants to use them to deprive the Bosnian peoples of their identity and turn Serbs, Croats and Bosniaks into a kind of "civil society" (as they say). This is a demand to forget about its culture and traditions solely in the interests of the West achieving its geopolitical goals in the Balkans. It's a criminal policy.

Question (translated from Serbian): When M. Dodik says that in order to preserve BiH it is necessary to return to the original Dayton, and that it is necessary to return to the Republika Srpska the powers taken from it, the West interprets this as a threat to separatism. Following the United States, the United Kingdom also imposed sanctions against Dodik. In addition, London imposed sanctions against the President of the RS J. Cvijanovic. One of the reasons is, allegedly, Russia's influence on the leadership of the Bosnian Serbs, their statements that M. Dodik is "Putin's man" and acts on his instructions. How do you look at that?

Sergey Lavrov: I have already said that Dodik does not do anything that contradicts Dayton. On the contrary, he is almost the only one who defends Dayton in the face of an aggressive attack on this document by the West. M. Dodik is a friend of the Russian Federation, and we are his friends. That's pretty much it.

We have a proverb: "Whoever hurts, he talks about it." The West cannot even imagine that any country or politician in the Balkans can be independent. He used to use all sorts of schmidts to "lead" everyone and blackmail everyone, to put forward an ultimatum to everyone. Don't judge yourself. We have slightly different manners, a different culture than the West.

Question (translated from Serbian): The public is increasingly talking about President of Russia Vladimir Putin's statement linking the Donbass issue to the Kosovo precedent, and that Serbia is under incredible pressure because of this. Does Russia intend to abandon its support for Serbia in this way, as some media outlets suggest, including even in Serbia itself?

Sergey Lavrov: There are many provocateurs everywhere. As far as I understand, we are talking about President Vladimir Putin's remarks on the verdict of the International Court of Justice on the legality of Kosovo's unilateral declaration of independence. I heard President Aleksandar Vucic mention this.

I think there is a deep misunderstanding here. First, if we take history, Kosovo's independence was proclaimed in 2008, when there was no hostilities and there was Resolution 1244, which Kosovo's leaders categorically refused to implement. Former President of Finland M. Ahtisaari on behalf of the UN was engaged in negotiations between Belgrade and Pristina in order to implement that very resolution. Let me repeat once again that there was no threat to the population of Kosovo or to the neighbouring regions of Serbia. Negotiations could have continued, but instead M. Ahtisaari suddenly said that they needed to reach an agreement within a certain period of time. As soon as he said this, the Kosovars stopped participating in the negotiations. Independence was proclaimed. And the Serbian government asked the International Court of Justice to give an opinion on the legitimacy of this process in August 2008. The opinion given by the International Court of Justice was initiated by Belgrade, the then Government of Serbia. The West actively promoted it and welcomed it in every possible way. We didn't express any emotions.

In 2014, under the influence of the events started by the bloody anti-state love spell in Ukraine and the attempt to seize Crimea by the Nazis, the Crimeans held a referendum, and the West began to resent it. Then President Vladimir Putin said that we are well aware of their double standards. We remember how happy they were when the International Court of Justice declared that a unilateral declaration of independence could not necessarily take place with the consent of the central authorities. He said this solely to show the absolute hypocrisy, duplicity and double standards of the West.

As for Russia's attitude to the talks on Kosovo's future, which continue and should be based on UN Security Council Resolution 1244, President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly stressed at his meetings with President Vucic and in his public speeches that we fully support Serbia's position. We will support a solution that will be acceptable to the Serbian people.

Question (translated from Serbian): Serbia is under increasing pressure – the West insists on its exceptionalism – it is constantly putting pressure on Belgrade to recognize Kosovo's unilaterally declared independence. At the beginning of next week you will be in Belgrade. Will president of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic discuss the settlement in Kosovo and Russian gas supplies?

Sergey Lavrov: We will discuss any topics that interest our Serbian friends. President Aleksandar Vucic discussed gas with President Vladimir Putin. They have reached agreements in principle, which are being drawn up through the respective companies. On the topic of Kosovo, I have already said what our position is.

We are interested in listening to President Aleksandar Vucic and other Serbian politicians' assessments of the current situation, how they regard the mediation role of the European Union, which in 2013 was able to achieve the signing by Pristina of the Agreement on the Establishment of a Community of Serb Municipalities of Kosovo, and much more. It is important for us to understand the assessments of the Serbian leadership and its action plans for the future period, based on the realities that have developed today.

Overall, Lavrov says of the West's policy, "It's a criminal policy." The overall illegality of the Outlaw US Empire's policy since it waged war on Yugoslavia is certainly very important. There's lots to rollback and correct that began in 1989. Unfortunately, for the millions that died as a result of all those events, they can only be atoned for and have justice served. Perhaps more can now see that such a process has finally begun, that it's somewhat delicate since nuclear war is to be avoided, and that it'll take some years to accomplish.