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Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's answers to media questions following bilateral meetings on the sidelines of the ministerial meeting of Afghanistan's neighbours in Tunxi, March 30, 2022

30 March 2022 18:30
673-30-03-2022

Question: How was your discussion with Mr Wang Yi?

Sergey Lavrov: A full round of talks was held with my colleague, Foreign Minister and member of the PRC State Council Wang Yi. We reviewed a range of items in our bilateral relations in accordance with the instructions agreed upon by the leaders of Russia and China, Vladimir Putin and Xi Jinping. They were aimed at the all-round development of Russia-China relations and at building up our foreign policy coordination. I am content with these talks.

Question: Are you satisfied with the results of the talks in Istanbul?

Sergey Lavrov: We consider yesterday's talks in Istanbul a positive move forward, but it is not the final result yet. I think there is considerable progress because the Ukrainian negotiators confirmed the need to ensure Ukraine's non-nuclear and non-aligned status and because our Ukrainian colleagues understand that the issues of Crimea and Donbass have been irrevocably settled.

Question: You held talks with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi. But what are your impressions after your meetings with your other colleagues?

Sergey Lavrov: I have positive impressions. In all of our talks today with the representatives of the members of Afghanistan's neighbours group, we heard and confirmed the commonality of our approaches to what is happening today in the world arena.

A new reality is taking shape: the unipolar world is irretrievably receding into the past and a multi-polar world is being born. This is an objective process that cannot be stopped. There won't be one single ruler in this new reality. All key states with a decisive influence on the world economy and politics will have to come to terms. Being aware of their special status, they will ensure the observance of the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, including the main one - the sovereign equality of states. Nobody on Earth will be considered a second-rate player. All nations are equal and sovereign.

Question: Russia has a list of unfriendly countries. Does it have a list of friendly states?

Sergey Lavrov: Any state not listed as "unfriendly" is friendly to us.

Question: President Joe Biden said: "I don't read anything into it until I see what their actions are." Secretary of State Antony Blinken said: "I thought there was a difference between what Russia says and does." What's your response to this?

Sergey Lavrov: I cannot think or fantasise for US President Joseph Biden or for Secretary of State Antony Blinken. As for the failure to match actions with words, I could not come close to citing the number of times the US has said one thing and done another.