Lavrov's Travels in Latin America

Russia’s Foreign Minister is currently on a tour of Latin American nations that began with Cuba, moved to Venezuela and is now in Brazil. For the brief period I was allowed to access the English MFA page, I was able to see it has reports on all Lavrov’s events there, but then my access was cut by the US who doesn’t bother to impede access to the Russian MFA pages. Thus, the narrowed selection of items to translate and present to readers. The main event in Brazil is the G-20 Foreign Minister’s Meeting which will enable Lavrov to meet with most on its sidelines today and tomorrow, today’s meetings included Brazil, Egypt, Mexico, Paraguay, and Bolivia. The two transcripts consist of a presser and interview, both of which are shorter than usual. We’ll start with Lavrov’s presser in Venezuela:

Dear Mr. Minister,

Dear Friend,

Ladies and gentlemen,

We have just held intensive talks on almost all areas of our cooperation. They were preceded by a meeting with Executive Vice President of Venezuela Delise Rodriguez.

We reaffirmed the importance that both countries attach to the regular and trust-based nature of our dialogue. This is absolutely natural.

Venezuela is one of Russia's most reliable and close friends in the Latin American region and in the world as a whole. We are bound by a close strategic partnership. It is no exaggeration to say that they are valuable in their own right and are not subject to any conjuncture. They are based on the coincidence of approaches to key issues on the global agenda, strong ties of friendship and mutual sympathy between our peoples.

We paid great attention to expanding trade and economic cooperation. There are many opportunities here. We assign a central role to the high-level Russian-Venezuelan Intergovernmental Commission. Its 17th meeting was held on October 16, 2023 in Moscow. Promising areas of bilateral cooperation were outlined there, including the expansion of cooperation in the field of oil production, the development of gas fields, agriculture, medicine and pharmaceuticals, space exploration, information and communication technologies and innovations. The peaceful use of nuclear energy, which we also discussed today, is also promising.

We agreed to increase the pace and volume of cooperation in all these areas. We share the view that this work contributes to increasing the stability of our national economies and strengthening the technological sovereignty of Russia and Venezuela. We are ready to share the experience we have gained in recent years with our Venezuelan friends.

Cultural and humanitarian exchanges are intensifying. Venezuelans have an increased interest in studying in the Russian Federation. In this regard, since the last academic year, we have doubled the quota of scholarships allocated to Venezuela to 200 places. We will keep it for the upcoming academic year. In September 2023, the Center for Open Education was launched in Caracas, teaching a number of subjects in Russian. We plan to open a similar centre on Margarita Island with the consent of our Venezuelan colleagues. We plan to resume the activities of the Russian Centre for Science and Culture in Caracas.

This morning, Minister Igio Gil, Minister of Culture Eduardo Villegas and Mayor of Caracas Carlos Meléndez and I unveiled a monument to the great Russian poet Alexander Pushkin in one of the central and most famous parks in the Venezuelan capital. I would like to thank our friends for their interest in our cultural and historical heritage.

We agreed to promote sports ties. We will look forward to the participation of the Venezuelan team in the World Future Games that will open in Kazan in the coming days and other tournaments that we plan to hold, including those held by BRICS. We are also interested in the planned participation of Venezuelan performers in the Intervision International Song Contest, which is being prepared for November this year.

We discussed in detail cooperation in the international arena. We are united in the need to achieve justice and greater democracy on the international platform through strict adherence by all countries to the key principles of the UN Charter in their entirety and interconnection. First of all, we highlighted the principle of respect for the sovereign equality of states.

We are united in rejecting the methods of diktat, blackmail and illegal unilateral restrictive measures practiced by Washington and its satellites with or without it. We view our cooperation at various multilateral venues as an important joint contribution to the formation of a more equitable multipolar world order. In this regard, I would like to note the Group of Friends in Defence of the UN Charter, established three years ago at the initiative of Venezuela. She's picking up the pace. An increasing number of countries are showing interest in it. Today, we agreed on the steps that need to be taken to make this work as effective as possible.

We talked about our cooperation within OPEC+ and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum. All these are very promising areas of our joint work with other countries that are members of these structures.

We discussed the situation in Latin America and the Caribbean. We welcome Venezuela's vigorous efforts to promote the processes of political and economic integration of the region in the interests of strengthening its weight and authority as one of the poles of the emerging multipolar and polycentric world. We are grateful for Venezuela's interest in helping to develop and strengthen Russia's relations with various structures in the Latin American region, including CELAC, ALBA and other subregional associations.

Once again, I would like to express our satisfaction with the results of the talks and thank my colleague and friend for their hospitality.

We have agreed that our next meeting will be held in Russia. Mr Hil has a permanent invitation to come to our country.

Question: Commenting on the dispute between Venezuela and Guyana over the status of Essequibo, the Russian Foreign Ministry has repeatedly emphasised the inadmissibility of external interference in the region's affairs. In this context, how would you comment on the actions and statements of third countries that contradict this principle?

Sergey Lavrov: Exactly as we did before. It is unacceptable to interfere in the internal affairs of Venezuela and any other country, in the problems that arise in relations between any two states.

The position of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro and his government is to engage in dialogue. A meeting of the foreign ministers was held, negotiations between the presidents of the two countries are being prepared. Each side has its own position. There is a well-known point of view (we recalled this today) contained in the conclusions of the International Court of Justice. Therefore, there are grounds for a constructive dialogue. Supporting the achievement of agreement on the basis of mutual agreement.

As far as I understand, this is the position of our Venezuelan friends.

Question: What practical steps are Russia and Venezuela taking to counter such actions by the United States and its allies, such as the possible confiscation of frozen Russian assets or the recent confiscation of a Boeing 747 aircraft belonging to a Venezuelan company?

Sergey Lavrov: Venezuela is also suffering from this barbaric and predatory policy of the United States and its satellites. In addition to the situation with the plane that you mentioned, Venezuelan money, state reserves, as well as Russian state reserves, have been frozen in a number of Western countries. This is a gross and flagrant violation of international law and the practice of conducting civilised relations in trade, the economy, investment and any other sphere.

This undermines the system of international finance, which the United States has constantly, for many years, presented as optimally suited for use by all countries without exception. They have discredited themselves and the principles of globalization, which they professed as the best invention in the world economy.

Today we exchanged views on how we will act. We have our own plans, and Venezuela also has intentions to take some steps. The exchange of experience in this area is very useful.

We will seek justice. This is the main direction in which we work.

Question (retranslated from Spanish): As a follow-up to the sanctions announced on Russia last year. The question concerns the SWIFT system and its implementation. What is the current profile and status of this structure with regard to the Financial Messaging System? The Russian minister noted Venezuela's interest in interacting with BRICS. To what extent is this interaction acceptable and when can it take place?

In terms of politics, Russia has become one of the countries accompanying the dialogue between the government and the opposition in Venezuela. Is Russia ready to organize a new meeting, given the upcoming elections in the second half of the year? Is this possible in this context?

Sergey Lavrov (speaking after Ilgam Gil): As for the question of whether we are ready to continue the dialogue between the Venezuelan government and the opposition, we are ready to assist to the extent and in the forms in which the legitimate government of the Bolivarian Republic is interested. This is our firm position. It has never changed and remains in force. [My Emphasis]

Relatively routine visit. Russia and Venezuela share many interests and work together on them. Helping Venezuela become 100% sovereign can be done but will take lots of work on Venezuela’s part as it needs to expand its industrial and technological base to attain that goal. IMO, Venezuela was/is a much better BRICS+ candidate than Argentina. Next up was Brazil and an interview with Globo:

Question: In your opinion, what should be the role of the G20 today, and what tasks does it face in the year of Brazil's presidency of this group?

Sergey Lavrov: The G20 was originally created as an economic format. This decision was prompted by the fact that in 2008 the United States faced an acute financial crisis. At that time, the largest economies were able to develop effective solutions.

At the same time, it became clear that one center of economic power could not be relied upon. Therefore, in recent years, the G20 has been engaged in a dialogue on the reform and restoration of global economic institutions.

The positive dynamics of this forum is largely due to the fact that countries with emerging markets are showing independence and insisting on a fair consideration of their interests. The declaration adopted at the end of the Delhi summit in 2023 sets out the priorities of developing countries. A major achievement was the accession of the African Union to the G20.

We positively assess Brazil's initiative to hold a meeting of the G20 foreign ministers on the sidelines of the high-level segment of the UN General Assembly.

The agenda of Brazil's chairmanship of this association is consonant with Russia's plans for BRICS, which Russia chairs in 2024. The focus on overcoming the challenges of implementing the Sustainable Development Goals is fully justified. It is necessary to develop balanced solutions for the energy transition, digital transformation, restoration of supply chains, access to energy resources and food. It is important that the G20 countries commit themselves not to use the economy as a weapon and to refrain from unfair competition.

Question: Brazil and Russia are partners in BRICS, an association that has recently been expanded to include new countries such as Iran. How important is the BRICS for Russia in its foreign policy and in its vision of global geopolitics? Are the BRICS countries Russia's main allies today?

Sergey Lavrov: Strengthening the potential and role of BRICS in global affairs is our priority.

Within the framework of the association, there is an equal interaction of countries representing different economic and political systems, religions and macro-regions. Its international prestige is growing steadily. The addition of five new participants from January 1 this year is a confirmation of this. BRICS is one of the pillars of the multipolar world.

Since January 1, Russia has been chairing BRICS. The program
for 2024 includes more than 200 events. We will promote the organic integration of new participants into the work of the association.

Question: Two years have passed since the start of the special military operation. A number of options for ending the conflict are currently being discussed, but what, at the moment, is the ultimate goal of the special operation?

Sergey Lavrov: The goals and objectives of the special military operation were outlined by President Vladimir Putin. This is the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, the elimination of threats to Russia's security emanating from its territory.

For a sustainable and just settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, it is necessary to address its root causes. The West should stop pumping weapons into Ukraine, and Kiev should stop fighting. Ukraine must return to a neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status, respect the rights and freedoms of citizens. It is necessary to take into account the new territorial realities and the situation on the ground.

Neither Kiev nor the West has demonstrated the political will to resolve the conflict. We have no choice, the special military operation will continue until its goals are achieved.

Question: Respecting its diplomatic traditions, Brazil has condemned the special military operation, as well as the sanctions against Russia, as well as the sending of weapons to Kiev by countries such as the United States. Special Assistant to the President of Brazil for International Affairs Staffan Amorim met with President of Russia Vladimir Putin in Moscow and with Vladimir Zelensky in Kiev. How do you assess Brazil's role in resolving the conflict? Can it become a possible mediator or facilitator in negotiations, since it is in contact with both sides?

Sergey Lavrov: We appreciate Brazil's commitment to promoting a political and diplomatic settlement. In April 2023, Brazilian President Lula da Silva proposed the creation of a "group of friends of the settlement." We were attentive to the initiative of our Brazilian friends.

Russia is open to resolving the conflict peacefully. However, our opponents in Kiev and in the West are fixated on promoting the Zelensky formula, which is an unacceptable ultimatum to Russia, and categorically reject other initiatives, including the Brazilian one. To begin with, Kiev will have to lift the ban on dialogue with Moscow, which it imposed on itself.

Question: There is now a relative consensus in Europe on the issue of supporting the Ukrainian government and relations with the Russian Federation. How do you see the future of contacts between Moscow and European countries? Do you think that normalisation of relations is possible in the near future?

Sergey Lavrov: The EU countries have imposed their enmity with Russia on themselves. It's up to them to decide what to do with that choice. Given Brussels' intention to inflict a "strategic defeat" on us, there is no need to talk about the prospects for restoring relations.

If European states abandon their Russophobic course and put forward realistic ideas about new principles of relations, we will study them. We will make a decision based on our national interests.

Question: The United States is in the midst of an election race, and the main struggle is likely to unfold between two well-known presidents in Moscow,
Joe Biden and Donald Trump. A number of analysts and even officials have hinted that Russian President Vladimir Putin would prefer Donald Trump to return to the White House and perhaps even wait for his victory in November to begin negotiations to end the conflict over Ukraine. I would like to hear your opinion on these arguments and ask whether the Kremlin really has a preferred candidate.

Sergey Lavrov: The US ruling elite, regardless of party affiliation, views Russia as an adversary and a threat. The former president did nothing to improve U.S.-Russian relations during his four years in the White House.

We have no illusions, and we do not expect that the anti-Russia course of the United States will change in the foreseeable future. We are ready to work with any leader who is trusted by the American people. What is important to us is not the figure of a politician, but what policy he pursues in relation to Russia. President of Russia Vladimir Putin said this in a television interview the other day. [My Emphasis]

I expect Lavrov to hold a presser at the G-20 meeting’s conclusion. It must also be noted that Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Bogdanov is kept very busy daily meeting with all the region’s actors. Particular mention must be made of his participation in today’s meeting of the Khakimov Club, a political science discussion group named after a famous Soviet diplomat who was instrumental in the formation of relations with Saudi Arabia. The club’s topic today, “The Middle East Dimension of Russia's Policy in the Context of Global Transformation.” The Press Release of the event unfortunately presents only scant details of that discussion, although the list of attendees lets one know its content was important. Russia’s West Asia policy is complex because of its complications that are poorly understood or appreciated:

On February 21, the Foreign Ministry's Diplomatic Academy hosted a regular meeting of the Khakimov Club political science platform on the topic "The Middle East Dimension of Russia's Policy in the Context of Global Transformation."

The event, organised jointly with the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in Moscow with the support of the Russian Foreign Ministry, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Saudi Arabia, the Alexander Gorchakov Public Diplomacy Fund, the King Faisal Centre for Islamic Studies Foundation and the Prince Saud Al Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies, was the result of the implementation of the agreements reached with Saudi partners during the first visiting meeting of the Khakimov Club in Riyadh on December 10-11, 2023.

Special Presidential Representative for the Middle East and Africa and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Mikhail Bogdanov, Head of the Department for Cooperation with Religious Organizations of the Presidential Directorate for Domestic Policy Yevgeny Eremin, Director of Academic Programs at the Center for Information and Arabic Studies Mikhail Saidurman, and Head of the Center for Strategic Studies Prince Saud Al-Faisal Institute for Diplomatic Studies Mohammed Al-Marzouqi, well-known Russian and Saudi experts.

In his opening remarks, Mikhail Bogdanov noted that Moscow's consistent and principled policy in Middle East affairs, aimed at ensuring Russia's significant role in resolving crises and conflicts and based on the traditions of friendship and mutual respect with all countries of the Middle East and North Africa, will be continued.

The meeting was also attended by representatives of the Arab diplomatic corps in Moscow, the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, the Association of Russian Diplomats, the Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Sciences, former ambassadors of the USSR and Russia to the countries of the Middle East, political scientists and public figures.

The discussion focused on key milestones in the history of Russian-Saudi relations, which are becoming strategic in nature. The significant impetus given to the multifaceted cooperation between the two friendly countries at the meeting of President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin and His Royal Highness Crown Prince and Chairman of the Council of Ministers of Saudi Arabia Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud on December 6, 2023 in Riyadh was particularly noted.

At the end of the event, the participants stressed the growing importance of coordinating and intensifying the efforts of Russia and Saudi Arabia aimed at maintaining international peace and security in the Middle East in the context of the formation of a new architecture of the world order. [My Emphasis]

It’s that last emphasized phrase that all too many people are missing along with relying on second, third and fourth party “analysis” that’s biased one way or another. Another factor is Russian methodology: Russia seeks to persuade not coerce, which is opposite the method employed by the Outlaw US Empire and its vassals.

*
*
*
Like what you’ve been reading at Karlof1’s Substack? Then please consider subscribing and choosing to make a monthly/yearly pledge to enable my efforts in this challenging realm. Thank You!