Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has described a recent diesel fuel deal between Russia and the United States as a purely commercial arrangement, saying it carries no political or security-related conditions.
Speaking at a meeting with African media editors-in-chief in Moscow on Tuesday, Lavrov said the agreement reflected a pragmatic approach by leaders concerned about their countries’ economies and the global economy.
He said the deal prioritised citizens’ interests over geopolitical considerations and involved no conditions.
Commenting on discussions involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, Lavrov said he had not examined the details but saw nothing new in the developments.
He described European leaders’ efforts to engage in the negotiation process as an attempt to secure a place at the table, questioning what position they intended to bring to the discussions.
“We still see no change in Europe’s approach,” Lavrov said.
Turning to Africa, Lavrov accused several Western countries, including France, of involving Ukrainian military personnel in terrorist activities and sabotage in the Sahel region, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. He claimed that evidence of such involvement was increasing.
Lavrov said Russia was assisting Sahel countries in their fight against terrorism and that the Russian Defence Ministry’s Africa Corps was operating in the region.
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