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Lavrov critical of 'brazen' visits by US, EU sanctions envoys to Central Asia

While these Western countries "could act smarter, showing more respect," "they actually humiliate their nations," the top Russian diplomat surmised

MOSCOW, November 27. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov slammed as brazen the recent visits by US and EU envoys to Central Asia with a call on regional players to observe anti-Russian sanctions.

"Special sanctions envoys from the United States, the European Union and England have lately been touring Central Asia. They state publicly as they go: `You are members of the CSTO (Collective Security Treaty Organization - TASS), or the EAEU (Eurasian Economic Union - TASS), or the CIS (Commonwealth of Independent States - TASS), or the SCO (Shanghai Cooperation Organization - TASS), but you should abide by our [anti-Russian] sanctions’. Well, I find it brazen," Russia’s top diplomat told the Primakov Readings international forum.

While these Western countries "could act smarter, showing more respect," "they actually humiliate their nations," Lavrov surmised.

When asked to comment on whether Russia would ever outnumber the United States in such "ambassadors of soft power," the Russian foreign minister said that Moscow needed no chase at all here.

The ninth Primakov Readings international forum is taking place in Moscow on November 27-28. The theme of this year’s forum is "Horizons of Post-Globalization." TASS is the general information partner of the event.

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