Moscow: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed support for what he described as the United States’ ‘responsible approach’ in avoiding direct military confrontation with Russia, considering it a positive step amid rising global tensions.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, Lavrov stated that European leaders are pushing Ukraine toward NATO membership and preparing for conflict with Russia, whereas U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized a rational position by stating that a direct military clash between Washington and Moscow must never occur. Lavrov expressed full support for this stance, noting that this understanding stems from ongoing dialogue between Moscow and Washington.

Lavrov also urged the U.S. administration to objectively view Kyiv’s actions aimed at ‘erasing Russian identity.’ He highlighted the necessity of addressing the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis to progress toward a comprehensive settlement. This includes reviewing the positions of Kyiv’s Western supporters regarding efforts to eradicate Russian influences in language, education, culture, religion, and historical memory.

He further emphasized that Ukraine is the only country where a language is officially banned, advocating for genuine respect for human rights and national minorities. Lavrov expressed his belief that the United States, unlike the ‘hypocrites’ in the European Union, is sincerely interested in protecting human and minority rights and can offer a fair assessment of the situation, which he sees as essential for achieving tangible progress in the settlement process.