Russia’s Lavrov dismisses West’s ‘frenzied’ criticism at G20

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the West’s discussion ‘strayed almost immediately … to the frenzied criticism of the Russian Federation in connection with the situation in Ukraine.’ (AFP)

• Scolds Moscow’s rivals for scuppering a chance to tackle global economic issues
• Lavrov: ‘Aggressors’, ‘invaders’, ‘occupiers’ – we heard a lot of things today’

NUSA DUA, Indonesia: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Friday dismissed what he cast as the West’s “frenzied” criticism of the war in Ukraine at a G20 meeting, scolding Russia’s rivals for scuppering a chance to tackle global economic issues.
“During the discussion, Western partners avoided following the mandate of the G20, from dealing with issues of the world economy,” Lavrov said.
He said the West’s discussion “strayed almost immediately, as soon as they took the floor, to the frenzied criticism of the Russian Federation in connection with the situation in Ukraine. ‘Aggressors’, ‘invaders’, ‘occupiers’ — we heard a lot of things today,” Lavrov said.
Indonesia urged the G20 on Friday to help end the war in Ukraine, as foreign ministers from the group met for a summit that has put some of the staunchest critics of Russia’s invasion in the same room as Moscow’s top diplomat.
Lavrov added that Russia is ready to negotiate with Ukraine and Turkey about grain but it is unclear when such talks might take place.