MOSCOW, September 02./ITAR-TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he was not surprised that his Australian counterpart wanted to persuade Western partners not to invite Russia to a G20 summit.

The minister said he had not read a statement of the Australian foreign minister about plans to use a NATO summit to persuade partners not to invite Russia to the G20 summit, but he was not surprised at such a statement.

 Australia’s doubts about its ability to host a G20 summit may be behind its intention to persuade Western partners not to invite Russia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday.

The minister said he had not read a statement of the Australian foreign minister about the intention to use a NATO summit to persuade partners not to invite Russia to the G20 meeting, but he was not surprised that such a statement was made.

“I would advise just to remember the basic things of G20 functioning. Australia did not convene the summit, but asked to host the summit. The right was given to it, but along with obligations," he added.

“The situation in the world’s economy and finances is not encouraging. It is important to use possibilities of world economies, including the Group of 20, to improve the situation. If Australian colleagues plan to discuss G20 issues within the North-Atlantic alliance, it indicates much about their ability to adequately react to world problems,” he said.

“Maybe they are convinced they will not be able to ensure productive holding of the G20 summit on economic and financial issues and try to divert attention by creating political scandals,” the Russian minister supposed. “Then, it is not serious at all,” he added.

Peaceful settlement

There are responsible politicians in Europe who call for peaceful settlement of the Ukrainian crisis, and Moscow hopes their voice will prevail, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov added.

“We know that serious and responsible politicians in Europe and the United States oppose any provocations, realising the senselessness and hopelessness of the conflict continuation through the demands of the [east Ukrainian separatist] militias’ capitulation,” the minister said. “They realise the need for a detailed, specific and substantial dialogue with a view to finding compromise on the Ukrainian state future and we hope their voice will prevail,” he added.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Tuesday he was hopeful that the US would use its possibilities to prevent the military scenario in Ukraine.

“Now the priority is to persuade ‘the party of war’ in Kiev. The United States only can do this,” Lavrov said.

“Washington can directly influence Ukraine and there are a lot of facts. The US should use its possibilities to give signals for resolving the conflict by political means,” he said.

“It was declared that on September 18, [Ukrainian President Petro] Poroshenko is going to make a visit to the United States. It may be a good opportunity for setting the record straight on America’s interest or disinterest in the political settlement in Ukraine,” Lavrov said.

“The White House said the visit would be used to support Ukraine’s drive for democracy, independence and stability,” he added.

“I hope that this won’t be democracy in the Iraqi or Libyan styles. I hope that Washington will support all forces in Ukraine,” Lavrov said.

“It is important that the US and European partners supported the need for searching for acceptable compromise within the process started in Minsk yesterday,” he said.