MOSCOW, November 9. /TASS/. NATO and European Union countries’ attempts to impose their rules in any maritime areas are unacceptable as freedom of navigation must be granted to all countries everywhere, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in his article "The Impact of Global Economy on International Security" for the Kommersant daily.
He noted that the closure of the Strait of Hormuz stemming from the aggression against Iran has become a serious destabilizing factor "that has dealt a severe blow to the energy sector."
"Freedom of navigation must not be applied selectively. It must be guaranteed everywhere for all countries and in all maritime areas," he emphasized. "It is unacceptable for NATO, the EU, or their member states to claim the right to dictate what happens in any maritime area."
"It must be understood that the use of force, especially by a declining power, and policies of pressure, blackmail, and diktat are doomed to fail and will be met with in-kind and asymmetric responses," the top Russian diplomat added.