Lavrov: Establishing an independent Palestinian state is the primary solution to the conflict in the Middle East

Moscow (ST) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov affirmed that the main focus of efforts to solve the conflict in the Middle East must be the establishment of an independent Palestinian state in accordance with Security Council resolutions and international legitimacy.

He stressed that without a final solution to the Palestinian issue, the Palestinian people will continue to live in conditions of injustice and persecution.

Lavrov said in a conference held in Moscow today in which he summarized the results of the past year of Russian diplomacy: “Imposing plans on the Palestinians in the corridors of the American administration’s offices will not lead to success, as the Westerners have obstructed and are obstructing all solutions to end the conflict. With our appreciation of the developments taking place not only in the Gaza Strip and the Palestinian territories in general, but also around Iraq and Yemen, there is no doubt that the US and its allies, Britain and others, violated all international laws and standards, including UN Security Council resolutions.”

He stressed that Russia will participate next Monday in the Security Council session, and will present its proposals regarding resuming collective action, away from any attempts to monopolize efforts to resolve the conflict individually.

Regarding the situation in Ukraine, Lavrov stated: “The West has realized that its goal of strategic victory over Russia has changed, and its hope for that is just an illusion, and everyone who has studied history and geography in the West can realistically rethink that.”

He indicated that the events of last year proved that the world does not accept the geo-political actions of the world, which is still trying to live at the expense of other countries and to harness countries to its interests and exploit them.

“We are doing everything in our power to make international relations better”, he added.

Regarding the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy, Lavrov said that Russia sets its sights on the task of eliminating dependence on the West in the economy and supply chains in 2024.

“The decision to join new countries in the BRICS group embodies the importance of the new regional and international structures. There are 20 or 30 countries interested in rapprochement with BRICS, and therefore this group, with its international members, will have a major role on the international arena”, Lavrov stated.

As for Russian-Chinese strategic cooperation, Lavrov noted that this cooperation is beneficial to both parties and allows for consensus and faster implementation of mutually beneficial projects, as well as in the field of humanitarian activities and cultural cooperation.

Najla Khoury