Lavrov Delivers Annual Presser, Speaks On Wide Range Of Issues

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is delivering his annual press conference that ostensibly looks at the Ministry's work in 2023, but is also covering issues affecting global political stability today. Livestream here (with English translation). On resuming talks with the US on strategic stability, Lavrov states that "It's impossible to talk about it seriously." Says that the complexity of the situation hinders serious dialogue. Claims that the US "has bet on reaching military supremacy".

• On the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, Lavrov states that "We need to make a full stop, which is [the] creation of [a] Palestinian state....Russia is interested that Israel and Israelis live in security."
• On US strikes on Houthis: "The United Nations did not grant the United States the right to strike Yemen as happened in Libya, and this is a violation of the law."
• Lavrov on relations with the West: "Russia's task is clear - to eradicate any and all dependence on supply, financial, banking and logistics chains that are controlled or influenced by our Western colleagues."
• Claims that over 30 countries have expressed a 'strong interest' in establishing close cooperation with BRICS nations. Says that Relations with China "are experiencing their best period in history." On Russo-Indian relations says that "The dialogue between Russia and India is at the highest level, contacts between the two nations are ongoing through ministries."