Russia Thinks The World Will 'Get Over' Their Invasion Of Ukraine
Russia thinks the Western world is overreacting to the Ukrainian invasion and has dismissed the global reaction as 'hysteria'.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said during a Thursday press briefing that the US, European allies, and other Western nations will 'get over' the invasion of Ukraine.
"I am sure that this hysteria will fade away and our Western partners will get over it," he said, Tass news agency reported.
🇷🇺 #Russia`s FM Sergey #Lavrov in an interview to Russian and foreign media outlets:
— Russia in Estonia 🇷🇺🇪🇪 (@RusEmbEst) March 3, 2022
💬 I am sure this hysteria will fade away and our Western partners will get over it. We are always prepared for dialogue that is based on equality and respect for each other’s interests. pic.twitter.com/qIsdRocReW
Lavrov went on to say that the severe economic sanctions that have targeted Russia and its most powerful - including himself and Russian President Vladimir Putin - would have no impact on Moscow's decision making process.
He called the sanctions 'some kind of a tax on independence'.
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"If they expect... Russia to crawl under the bench and give in to someone's dictatorship, their expectations are wrong," Lavrov said.
"In fact, they should remember our history, we have never made agreements under pressure."
As a sign of protest against the Russian war in Ukraine, diplomats in Geneva left the UN Human Rights Council before the speech of Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Russia. pic.twitter.com/CSQ6NqS0Wv
— Iuliia Mendel (@IuliiaMendel) March 1, 2022
The Russian Foreign Minister then went on to discuss the possibility of nuclear war, but said this was not something Moscow was considering.
"It's clear to everyone that World War III can only be a nuclear one," Lavrov said.
"However, I would like to point out that thoughts of a nuclear war are circling in the heads of Western politicians but not in the heads of Russians."
Lavrov's comments come after dozens of diplomats walked out of his speech at the United Nations Conference on Disarmament in Geneva.
Lavrov was set to address the UN Human Rights Council via video link to a packed out room.
However, as he arrived on the screen, many representatives stood up and walked out to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
The conference hall was left largely empty by the time Lavrov got going.
He explained during his speech that he would have liked to have attended the conference in person, however European Union sanctions have banned all flights coming from Russia.
The Foreign Minister used his time to accuse Ukraine of trying to get their hands on nuclear weapons.
He also slammed European countries for engaging in a 'Russophobic frenzy' by avoiding all 'direct face-to-face dialogue'.
Mr Lavrov also criticised EU nations for sending weapons to Ukraine to fight back against the Russians.
It was a very different story at the European Parliament, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy received a standing ovation.
If you would like to donate to the Red Cross Emergency Appeal, which will help provide food, medicines and basic medical supplies, shelter and water to those in Ukraine, click here for more information.
Rachel Lang