Cairo: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Friday criticized EU leaders for their comments about China and India's relations with Moscow, labeling them as 'rude' and 'ill-mannered' during a joint press conference with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lavrov made these remarks following bilateral talks in Cairo, urging Europe to refrain from interfering in the dialogue between Russia and the US concerning Ukraine. Lavrov emphasized that Moscow's position on a Ukraine settlement remains steadfast and is not influenced by opportunistic considerations. He highlighted the solid understanding between Moscow and Washington, which was established during their summit in Alaska in August.
Lavrov also noted that there is no reason for the US administration to deviate from the agreed-upon position, which he claims is based on proposals from former US President Donald Trump and his negotiating team. He mentioned that many in the 'global majority' support the efforts between Russia and the US regarding Ukraine, hoping for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.
Lavrov arrived in Cairo on Thursday to participate in the second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum. While in Cairo, he engaged in bilateral talks with several African leaders. His statements coincided with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's announcement of upcoming talks with the US, and Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov's comments on preparing relevant contacts with Washington for a revised peace plan.
The original 28-point proposal for peace reportedly required Ukraine to make significant concessions, such as recognizing Russian control over its territories, limiting its military personnel, and refraining from joining NATO.
During the press conference, Lavrov also mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to discussions with French President Emmanuel Macron. This comes after Macron expressed interest in re-engaging in dialogue with Russia. Lavrov underscored that Putin is open to talks with polite and decent counterparts.
Discussing his meeting with Abdelatty, Lavrov mentioned various bilateral issues, including expanding direct flights, creating sustainable food and fuel supply chains, and addressing the situations in Sudan and Libya. Abdelatty emphasized the importance of accelerating joint projects like the El Dabaa Nuclear Power Plant and the industrial zone project in the Suez Canal region, noting that Egypt-Russia relations have matured beyond traditional diplomacy. He also expressed Egypt's willingness to support international efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis through peaceful means.