The points omitted via translate (french to english) and Andrew Korbyko
Lavrov has certainly introduced some predictable polemics in his answers — this is his style, as those who follow know — but this does not justify the refusal to publish his interview.
The major Italian daily Corriere della Sera has outrageously refused to publish in its entirety the exclusive written interview of Sergei Lavrov that the Russian Foreign Ministry had proposed to clarify Russia’s position, and to which the newspaper was initially prepared to collaborate until the reception of the Minister’s responses. The Russian ministry then denounced the decision as “a blatant case of censorship.”
So here are the essential points of this interview, so that readers can form their own opinion.
Lavrov first explained that Trump and Putin had agreed to Anchorage on the need to keep Ukraine out of NATO and recognize the new geopolitical reality.
Ukraine, the European Union and the United Kingdom immediately tried to manipulate it at their next meeting at the White House. The Financial Times then played a complementary role after the new phone call between Trump and Putin in October, suggesting that the follow-up call between Lavrov and Rubio had failed their plans to summit Budapest. Putin is ready to meet Trump at this location.
The minister then clarified that the “special operation” did not address territorial objectives, but aimed to save lives within the Russian minority and ensure the security of the country. He claimed that Russia’s restraint so far was aimed at saving civilian and military lives. Lavrov also reaffirmed Russia’s objectives in this operation and defended the wearing of a sweatshirt bearing the inscription “USSR” at the Anchorage summit, stressing that it was not a sign of imperial nostalgia, but a simple expression of patriotism.
Continuing, Lavrov said that the Europeans were seeking to extend the Ukrainian conflict indefinitely, because “they have no other way to divert the attention of their voters from the rapid deterioration of the internal socio-economic situation … they are openly preparing Europe for a new great war against Russia and try to convince Washington to reject any honest and fair settlement.” He then recalled the 2022 Russian proposal to reform the European security architecture, rejected by NATO and the EU.
Imagine Europe trying to pass the buck by blaming Russia? It’s not hard to imagine at all.
Asked about Russia’s alleged “isolation,” Lavrov cited Moscow’s wide range of partners in the global South as well as the many high-level events in which its diplomats participated. He rejected the idea that Russia is dependent on China, noting that they are coordinating their positions on key issues and consider themselves equal.
Lavrov concluded by stating that a Russian-Italian rapprochement was only possible if Rome renounced its hostile policy.
Lavrov has certainly expressed some predictable spikes, but this does not justify the non-publication of his interview. Corriere della Sera has the right not to publish content or to propose an abridged version
, but his decision not to broadcast this interview in full has everything of censorship, concealed under the guise of “editoral standards”.The newspaper probably did not want to expose the public to Lavrov’s criticism of Ukraine and the West.In any case, this decision only drew more attention to the controversial passages they were seeking to dismiss, after the Russian Foreign Ministry brought the matter to light.
Corriere della Sera, considered one of the European reference newspapers, emerges weakened from this sequence, just like the continental press as a whole. This will not surprise the informed observers, but could disturb naïve readers who still thought that censorship did not exist in Europe.