MOSCOW, July 10. /TASS/. Heightened tensions between the United States and China do not meet Russia’s interests in any way, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Friday during an online conference focusing on Russia and the post-coronavirus world.
"I believe that it [the standoff] in no way meets our interests, or the interests of the European Union, or those of any other states," he emphasized.
For instance, Lavrov pointed out that China’s trade turnover with the European Union fully corresponds to US-China trade turnover. "Considering the aspirations for strategic autonomy that are with increasing frequency voiced in the European Union and the fact that these aspirations are outlined not only in the military-political and security sphere, but also in the sphere of trade and economics, I think that they should be taken a closer look at," he noted.
The European Union, the minister continued, also "wants to bring back its production operations and lock in as many trade and distribution chains as possible." "In this regard, they are entering into direct competition with the Americans. It [the EU] is unlikely to back the US in every way when it wants to bleed the Chinese economy dry by siphoning all the processes that pave the way for active development to its own territory," Lavrov added.
That is why tensions and clashes of interests will arise, the top Russian diplomat cautioned. "You know, unlike 2014 when the EU imposed anti-Russian sanctions under enormous pressure from the US, the European Union today is already showing signs of healthy pragmatism," the minister pointed out. "In particular, they publicly announced that they would revisit the five ill-famed principles by Federica Mogherini, which were shaped a few years ago to advance relations with Russia," the diplomat elaborated.
Moreover, Lavrov pointed to a statement made by EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell, who said that sanctions are not a tool, which should be used in ties with China, when asked whether the EU might impose some restrictions on Beijing over the developments in Hong Kong. "We inquired whether Borrell still thinks that sanctions are a means that can be used in relations with Russia. However, our European friends will ponder over that," Lavrov added.
Overcoming lack of foresight
The Russian foreign minister emphasized that Moscow is interested in cooperation with the EU that does not hurt anyone. "In general, we do not make friends in order to orchestrate some sorts of campaigns against any third [countries] based on expediency or mutual benefit. I think that Brussels will still be dealing with overcoming its recent lack of political foresight and will pay more attention to analyzing the genuine benefits of cultivating ties with Russia and the Eurasian Economic Union as part of this review of EU policy towards Russia," he maintained.
"By the way, I do not see any benefits for Russia arising from a trade war between Washington and Beijing. We will not benefit [from it] either in ties with the EU or India," Lavrov stressed, highlighting "the special privileged strategic partnership" between Russia and India.