Lavrov: Western Sanctions Aim to Change Russia, Not to Settle Ukrainian Crisis

(FNA)- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the goal of western sanctions is to force to change the position of the Russian Federation on the key and fundamental issues, and not to resolve the crisis in Ukraine.

"Our partners, who actually imposed the sanctions, do not hide the fact that the goal of these measures is not Ukraine. Essentially, in their statements and actions the true purpose of the restrictions are seen - to make over Russia, to change its position on the key issues of fundamental importance to us and to get (Russia) to take the position of the West," Lavrov said in a show on Russia’s NTV channel, Ria Novosti reported.

According to Lavrov, western politicians are not talking about a change of regime in Russia, "although some of the outcasts in Europe say such phrases."

"By and large, they tell us to change our policies and approaches. It would be one thing if we were offered to look for something together. But we are told, we know how to act, and you must do it," he added.

According to the minister, such behavior is "the last century, the past era, colonial, inertial way of thinking."

"When in the modern world a multipolar world order is formed, it is impossible that one branch of the civilization (a civilization we share - a Christian one), someone alone, some group of countries dictated their will to others. There is an understanding that without the support of other centers of force in the modern world it is impossible to solve many other problems, to defeat terrorism, infectious diseases (now, for example, all are horrified by the Ebola virus). On that, whether there are politicians with a global strategic vision, will depend on how quickly this period will pass," Lavrov concluded.