TEHRAN, October 19. /TASS/. Iran’s struggle against the aggression unleashed upon it is a just cause, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told a joint news conference after talks with his Iranian counterpart, Abbas Araghchi.

According to the top Russian diplomat, neither Kiev nor its European sponsors are ready for talks. Russia has never targeted Ukrainian infrastructure that is not used for terror attacks on Russia, he stressed.

TASS has summarized the top Russian diplomat’s key statements

Ukrainian settlement

Russia has targeted only Ukrainian infrastructure producing goods used to carry out terrorist attacks on Russian territory: "We have never launched attacks on civilian infrastructure in Ukraine, except in cases involving facilities that directly supply the Ukrainian armed forces with the relevant products, which are then used to carry out terrorist attacks against Russian citizens."

"It is clear that neither the Kyiv regime nor its European backers are ready for such talks."

The religious factor is one of the triggers for the crisis in Ukraine: "In Ukraine, this [religious] factor is indeed one of the triggers for the current crisis, because long before the special military operation - back when there was no sign of such a war, which the Europeans instigated against Russia using the Ukrainian Nazi regime - the previous president of Ukraine and his government had already begun a campaign to undermine the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church."

Russia continues advocating the rights of Russian-speakers in territories controlled by the Vladimir Zelensky regime: "First and foremost, we are fighting for the rights of our people in all spheres, including religious, but also language, and we are fighting for the rights of Russian people and those of Russian culture, including those who currently remain in the territory controlled by Zelensky, and for their right to be part of Russian history. The regime, however, which is supported by European elites, is aimed precisely at destroying these fundamental, inalienable human rights."

The West would prefer that Ukrainians, in their religious outlook, lean not on traditional Christian values, but rather to the so-called "freethought" currently being actively promoted in Europe: "Western Europe would likely feel more comfortable if Ukrainians, in their religious views, aligned themselves with what is termed 'freethought' - a concept currently being actively imposed across Europe - as an alternative to the traditional Christian values that have endured for centuries, and indeed, for millennia."

The US, Israel’s aggression against Iran

Iran’s struggle against the aggression unleashed upon it is a just cause, "people should not have to suffer because of events that occur against their will": "Therefore, I am confident that Iran’s cause - much like Russia’s - is a just cause."

Moscow is ready to help look for ways to settle the conflict between the United States and Iran: "We analyzed the situation that had emerged as a result of an unprovoked US-Israeli aggression against Iran. I once again outlined our country’s readiness to render assistance in searching for mutually acceptable solutions to resolve this artificially created crisis."

"We welcomed Tehran’s efforts focused on using diplomacy to establish durable peace and stability in the region."

"It is important to return to the pre-crisis situation in the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hormuz, including measures to restore the freedom of navigation and guarantees against the recurrence of aggression."

"We appreciate the efforts by international mediators who are trying to help reach such a reliable agreement."

Russia managed to prevent attempts to justify aggressive actions by the United States and Israel against Iran at the United Nations: "At the United Nations, we prevented attempts to justify the unlawful, aggressive actions of the United States and Israel against Iran. We provided humanitarian aid to the friendly Iranian people as quickly as possible, delivering the medicines and medical supplies they needed, while food supplies are also being delivered regularly."

Situation on energy markets

Russia is not interested in volatility of prices on international energy markets: "President [of Russia Vladimir] Putin reiterated that we are not interested in price volatility, in prices bouncing up or down. We as a serious country want stability, including stable prices."

The stability of prices is required to plan the long-term development of the country: "The latest budget, which is being reviewed at present, assumes such scenario exactly."

Palestinian issue

There are attempts to push the issue of establishing a Palestinian state to the background: "With regard to a Middle East settlement, it is crucial to intensify efforts on the Palestinian issue, which some are currently attempting not only to push to the very bottom of the international agenda, but also to emasculate any resolutions regarding the establishment of a Palestinian state."

Russia and Iran insist on strict compliance with the relevant resolutions: "Russia and Iran stand firm for the implementation of relevant resolutions, as well as the UN Security Council resolutions on Lebanon."

Cooperation with Iran

Moscow will not abandon its economic agreements with Iran despite the difficult situation: "Despite the challenging situation, which has repeatedly been mentioned, Russia has no intention to abandon the implementation of economic and investment agreements with Iran."

"Russian specialists are gradually returning to the Bushehr Nuclear Power Plant."

Russia expects that President of Iran Masoud Pezeshkian will participate in the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) summit on October 27 in Moscow.

Russia also expects an Iranian delegation to take part in the Minsk Security Conference.

Mecca Agreement

Russia had welcomed the formation of the Mecca Pact: "We proceed from the understanding that the goals declared as the foundation of this association are to achieve stability and promote peace and cooperation."

"Some other countries and regions, including Arab states, have also expressed interest in this ‘trio’ and in joining its work."

Moscow would respect Iran’s decision to join the Mecca Agreement if Tehran concludes that doing so would contribute to peace: "If at some stage the leadership of the Islamic Republic of Iran decides that contacts with this structure could help advance the cause of peace and free development, we will respect the choice of our friends."

Situation in Yemen

It is necessary to resume dialogue on settling the political situation in Yemen and return to the 2023 roadmap offered by Saudi Arabia: "Of course, it is also important to resume dialogue on the situation in and around Yemen. Ideally, we should return to the roadmap developed by Saudi Arabia in 2023, which was acceptable to both the internationally recognized authorities in Aden and the Ansar Allah movement."