First, the interview starts with Carlson asking Lavrov if he believes the United States and Russia are at war with each other right now. Lavrov says no, but he acknowledges that there is a conflict in Ukraine that involves the U.S. providing funding and weapons. He refers to it as a "hybrid war" and notes that American servicemen are directly involved in supplying long-range weapons to Ukraine. Lavrov expresses concern about this situation and mentions that Russia has sent signals, such as the testing of a new weapon system called the "Oreshnik," to deter further aggression.
Lavrov also addresses the concept of a "first strike" and limited nuclear exchanges being discussed in NATO and Pentagon circles. He warns that this kind of thinking is dangerous and could lead to misunderstandings that escalate into a full-blown conflict. He emphasizes that Russia has red lines and that moving those red lines repeatedly is a serious mistake.
Next, Lavrov delves into the history of the conflict in Ukraine, starting with the 2014 coup that brought the current government to power. He argues that this coup led to the annexation of Crimea by Russia and the conflict in Donbas. Lavrov asserts that the Ukrainian government does not represent the entire population, particularly the Russian-speaking regions, and that their rights have been violated through legislation banning Russian education, media, and cultural events.
He criticizes the international community, including the United Nations, for focusing solely on the territorial integrity of Ukraine without considering the rights of the people living there. Lavrov references the United Nations Charter and General Assembly resolutions that emphasize the equality of states and the right to self-determination. He argues that the Ukrainian government, which came to power through a coup, does not represent the people of Crimea and Donbas, who have their own aspirations for self-governance.
Lavrov also mentions the Minsk agreements, which were supposed to resolve the conflict in Donbas by granting special status to certain regions and protecting the rights of Russian speakers. However, he claims that these agreements have been sabotaged by the Ukrainian government, leading to the continuation of the conflict. He expresses frustration that the international community, particularly the West, is not holding Ukraine accountable for its failure to implement these agreements.
Moving on, Carlson asks about the recent unveiling of Russia's hypersonic weapons system and what message Russia is trying to send to the West. Lavrov explains that the test of this weapon is a signal to the U.S. and its allies that Russia will use any means necessary to defend its legitimate security interests. He emphasizes that Russia does not seek war with the U.S. but will take steps to prevent what it sees as attempts to strategically defeat Russia.
Lavrov also touches on the lack of backchannel dialogue between Russia and the U.S., which he sees as concerning given the potential for miscalculations leading to a nuclear exchange. He mentions that there are some channels for communication, such as the exchange of people serving terms in each other's countries, but these are not sufficient. He expresses worry that without proper communication, misunderstandings could escalate into a catastrophic conflict.
In response to Carlson's question about how many people have died in the conflict, Lavrov says that the Ukrainian side has not disclosed accurate figures, but estimates suggest that around 80,000 people have been killed on both sides over the past ten years. He draws a comparison to the situation in Palestine, where over 45,000 Palestinian civilians were killed in one year, highlighting the tragedy in both conflicts.
Lavrov also addresses statements made by Ukrainian officials that suggest a desire to exterminate Russian speakers and Russian culture within Ukraine. He cites examples of Ukrainian politicians calling for the eradication of Russian language and culture, both legally and physically. Lavrov questions the mental stability of such leaders and suggests that their views make it impossible to reach a peaceful resolution.
When asked about the terms under which Russia would cease hostilities, Lavrov refers back to previous agreements, such as the Minsk agreements, which he says Russia is still committed to implementing. He emphasizes that Russia is open to negotiations based on the principles agreed upon in Istanbul, which include Ukraine's non-bloc status and collective security guarantees, excluding NATO membership or military bases on Ukrainian soil.
Lavrov also mentions that since the conflict has evolved, with changes in the Russian constitution and the annexation of certain regions, these new realities must be taken into account in any peace negotiations. He reiterates that any agreement must respect the rights of Russian speakers and reverse the legislation that bans Russian language and culture in Ukraine.
Carlson asks about sanctions against Russia and whether lifting them would be a condition for ending the conflict. Lavrov suggests that many in Russia would see that as a condition, but he notes that Russia has become more self-reliant due to sanctions and is developing alternative platforms for cooperation with other countries that are not hostile.
He reflects on the historical attempts to integrate Russia into the Western bloc and suggests that this is no longer possible due to the current animosity and the West's refusal to accept Russia as an equal partner. Lavrov cites President Putin's statements that Russia will not return to the pre-2022 relationship with the West and that attempts to treat Russia as a junior partner have failed.
Lavrov also discusses the 2016 expulsion of Russian diplomats and seizure of Russian property by the Obama administration, which he believes set a negative tone for U.S.-Russia relations. He sees similarities in the Biden administration's approach and worries that it could complicate any potential peace efforts, especially if there is a change in U.S. leadership.
In the context of Ukraine, Lavrov explains that the current Ukrainian government, led by Zelensky, has prohibited negotiations with Russia and is pushing for a peace formula that demands Russia's withdrawal from Ukrainian territory. He criticizes the West for supporting this position and suggests that the West is planning a summit to present Russia with terms that have already been agreed upon without Russian input.
Lavrov argues that this approach violates the principle of "nothing about us without us" and is not conducive to a peaceful resolution. He emphasizes that Russia's goals in the conflict are aligned with international law and the protection of human rights, particularly the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine.
Carlson asks about who is making foreign policy decisions in the U.S., given the lack of communication with Russian officials. Lavrov says he hasn't had meaningful conversations with U.S. officials in years and that interactions are limited to brief exchanges at international events. He expresses frustration with this state of affairs and suggests that it hinders the ability to resolve conflicts peacefully.
Lavrov also comments on the U.S. foreign policy approach, characterizing it as creating trouble and then trying to exploit the resulting chaos for their own interests. He cites examples such as the Iraq War, the Libyan intervention, and the handling of the Afghan withdrawal. He criticizes the selective application of international law and the double standards in recognizing unilateral declarations of independence, such as in Kosovo versus Crimea.
Finally, Lavrov touches on the situation in Syria, where he says Russia, Turkey, and Iran are working together through the Astana process to stabilize the region and prevent terrorist groups from gaining control. He expresses concern about recent developments in Aleppo and the Idlib de-escalation zone and plans to discuss these issues with his Turkish and Iranian counterparts.
Lavrov also shares his thoughts on Donald Trump, describing him as a strong and results-oriented leader who is not afraid to make decisions. He notes that despite the significant sanctions imposed on Russia during Trump's presidency, Russia remains open to cooperation with any U.S. administration that is elected by the people.
In conclusion, Lavrov reiterates his concern about the potential for escalation between Russia and the U.S., particularly in the context of nuclear weapons. He emphasizes that Russia does not seek confrontation and is committed to preventing a nuclear war. However, he warns that the current rhetoric and lack of communication could lead to dangerous miscalculations.
Overall, the interview covers a wide range of topics, from the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the state of U.S.-Russia relations to broader issues in international politics and the role of the United Nations. Lavrov presents Russia's perspective on these matters, emphasizing the importance of respecting international law, protecting human rights, and maintaining open lines of communication to prevent catastrophic conflicts.
Its amazing that they didn't invent anything new since WW2. That "strategy" is also used in former Yugoslavia, to prolong the war as much as posible. And the best thing in their wishful thinking is that Russia will buy all of that 
