politics
February 19, 2026
Europe in decline, other kind of war: statements by Lavrov
Sergey Lavrov stressed that Russia is ready to engage with reasonable and pragmatic counterparts
TL;DR
- Russia does not seek war but warns of a different conflict if Europe prepares for one.
- Europe is perceived as having specific plans to maintain Ukraine's army against Russia and wants the EU-driven war to continue.
- Russia is ready to engage with reasonable and pragmatic European counterparts who consider their countries' interests.
- Lavrov criticized Europe's "hysterical" demands to negotiate and stated that constructive opportunities for Europe in the Ukrainian conflict are gone.
- Attempts to portray Hungary and Slovakia as accomplices of the "Putin regime" are linked to nostalgia for the Nazi past and hatred of Russia.
- Russia views relations with the US under Trump as pragmatic and is monitoring Europe's attempts to disrupt Trump's "principled course."
- The US is accused of trying to oust Russia from global energy markets.
- The US withdrawal from Syria is seen as potentially creating new threats, and Russia observes Israel's "controlling role" in southern Syria.
- Russia is prepared to turn its Syrian military bases into humanitarian hubs.
- Russia sent a note to the US agreeing to use $1 billion in frozen funds to rebuild Gaza, but received no response.
- Any new strikes against Iran would have "unfortunate consequences," and Russia believes Iran wants to resolve its nuclear program issue based on the NPT.
- Russia values its relations with Arab countries and considers Saudi Arabia a "strategic partner."
- OPEC+ plays a responsible role in global energy markets, with the Russian-Saudi alliance functioning well.
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