Lavrov surprised by allegations made in West on Russia's disruptive activities against EU, interest in change of govt in key European countries
MOSCOW. Jan 25 (Interfax) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says he is surprised by allegations made in the West that Moscow is seeking to "topple" the German and French governments following the change of the U.S. president.
"As concerns the European Union's breakup, we have never been interested in this, and President Putin has said on numerous occasions that Russia would like to see the European Union strong and independent. Therefore, it's just surprising for me to hear speculations that Russia is doing some work against the European Union, has just 'toppled' the Democratic government in the U.S. and is going to 'topple' the governments in Germany, France, the Netherlands, and other countries," Lavrov said at the Government Hour hearing at the State Duma on Wednesday.
"We want the European Union to be strong, united, and independent, and we want a European Union majority, which, after all, is comprised of normal political forces and normal states, not to follow a petty group of Russophobes speculating on the so-called solidarity and consensus principle and forcing the European Union to take a path that most European Union countries and most of their citizens absolutely don't like," Lavrov said.