Hegemon USA aims to replace international law with its own diabolical rules forced on others to follow, Lavrov explained.
Its ruling regimes aim to further US interests at the expense of world peace, stability, the rule of law and rights of other nations.
During talks this week on Russia’s sought security guarantees in Geneva, Brussels and Vienna, the Biden regime and its subservient partners “laid out (their) tough, sometimes arrogant, unyielding and uncompromising position” that no responsible governments would accept, Lavrov explained.
Under international law, no nation or nations may seek hegemony over others.
Their rights end where the borders of other nations begin.
According to international law — including the UN Charter, and Charter for European Security — no nation(s) “ha(ve) the right to claim dominant positions in the Euro-Atlantic Region” or anywhere else.
The US-dominated West pursues what benefits its interests at the expense of other nations and the rule of law.
At stake is the risk of undermining the security of Russia and other nations free from US control.
There’s no ambiguity about how hegemon USA operates.
Russia understands it well. So do China, Iran and other independent nations.
As Vladimir Putin called for before security talks began this week, Russian officials minced no words in explaining what security demands it seeks — what it’s entitled to under international law.
What it justifiably seeks does not encroach on the rights of other nations or harm their security, Lavrov stressed.
Russia’s position is clear and unequivocal.
It seeks legally binding “guarantees against deploying offensive weapons in neighboring territories that pose a threat to Russia’s security, and a principled plan for returning the European security architecture to how it was configured in 1997, when the Founding Act on Mutual Relations, Cooperation and Security between NATO and the Russian Federation was signed and used as a basis to create the Russia-NATO Council later,” Lavrov explained, adding:
Instead of cooperating with Russia to insure East/West security that’s beneficial to both sides, Biden regime hardliners “flatly rejected (Moscow’s) right to seek the non-expansion of NATO.”
After the Helsinki Final Act was signed in 1975, US President Ford at the time said the following:
“History will judge this Conference not by what we say here today, but by what we do tomorrow – not by the promises we make, but by the promises we keep.”
In February 1990, then-US Secretary of State James Baker told Mikhail Gorbachev that US-dominated NATO would not move an inch east of Poland’s Oder river.
Phony claims by Biden regime hardliners and US-installed NATO puppet Stoltenberg that no such promises were made are belied by what’s documented in the public record.
According to Lavrov, the Biden regime and NATO vassal states promised to respond to Russia’s security demands with proposals of their own.
Moscow called for “an article-by-article response to (its) documents.”
“Should (Western regimes) have an issue with any provision, they should clarify why and set it down on paper.”
“If they find a particular provision suitable with one exception, they should put this exception in writing as well.”
“If they want to exclude or add something, they should do so in writing as well.”
Russia “provided (its) thoughts in writing a month ago.”
“Washington and Brussels had enough time to do as requested.”
“Both of them promised to respond in writing.”
So far, there’s been no formal response.
If sent as promised, Lavrov and Russian Defense Minister Shoigu will discuss what’s sent with Vladimir Putin.
Russian counterproposals will follow.
Russia will never act like hegemon USA and its NATO vassal states on the world stage, said Lavrov.
Imperial arrogance defines US relations with other nations.
If this continues with Russia, including the Biden regime’s unwillingness to go along with its security demands, bilateral relations may be “destroy(ed),” Lavrov warned.
That’s where things are heading.
Dominant US hardliners have no intention of shifting from war on Russia by other means to improved relations.
If they’re ruptured in the new year or later, the risk of war between the world’s leading nuclear powers will greatly increase.
Russia’s patience with the US-dominated West has limits.
Vladimir Putin made clear that a response must be quick.
US-dominated NATO representatives “want to drag out this entire process,” said Lavrov — what’s unacceptable to Moscow.
Along with asserting unacceptable demands on how and where Russia may deploy it forces within its borders, US-dominated NATO refuse to “move their armed forces or military equipment in Europe further away from our borders,” Lavrov explained.
“That says it all, if you ask me. This is arrogance of the highest order.”
Looking ahead, Russia will respond appropriately to developments as they unfold, said Lavrov, its right under international law.
As for optimism (looking ahead), there is a saying that goes like this: “Who’s a pessimist? A pessimist is a well-informed optimist,” Lavrov explained.
The Stephen Lendman Blog 