Lavrov reveals lack of communication with Blinken since 2021

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov disclosed on Friday that he has not spoken with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken since their last meeting in 2021 during the G20 Summit in Rome.

Lavrov’s Remarks

In an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson, Lavrov was asked, "Who makes foreign policy decisions in the United States?" Lavrov responded that this question should be directed to the US, adding, "The last time I saw Blinken was in 2021 at the G20 Summit, where I represented President Vladimir Putin."

He recounted that Blinken’s aide requested a brief meeting during the summit, which lasted 10 minutes and centered on de-escalation.

Lavrov elaborated, "I stepped out of the hall, and we shook hands. Blinken spoke about the need to de-escalate. I told him we were not seeking escalation, but the US aims to inflict a strategic defeat on Russia. He then claimed it was only about Ukraine, not a global confrontation."

No Communication with US Officials

When asked if he had communicated with Blinken or any other US official since then, Lavrov confirmed that he had not engaged in any discussions with members of President Joe Biden’s administration. He quipped, "I don’t want to harm their careers."

Tense Relations with the West

Regarding meaningful talks with Western officials, Lavrov noted their absence, stating that the atmosphere becomes "toxic" if an American or European official is seen speaking with him.

He added, "During the recent G20 Summit, I noticed Europeans avoiding me like children, even though they are adults."