Editorial -- Russia’s Grievances Against the West

On Saturday, Sergey Lavrov, the Russian Foreign Minister, spoke at the 77th UN General Assembly in New York explaining Russia’s grievances against the West:

–In December 2021, Russia sought to make proposals to establish rules for co-existence between Russia and the West. Those proposals were “arrogantly” refused;

–Ukraine has become a mere tool for Washington to maintain its global dominance. Once they have no more use for the current government, they will throw them under the bus;

–The US and NATO are already direct participants in the Ukraine conflict given their arming of Ukraine and alleged selection of targets;

–In August 2021, President Zelensky allegedly advised everyone who feels Russian to “go to Russia” for the benefit of their children or grandchildren. The current “referendum” is merely a matter of Russia honoring President Zelensky’s wishes;

–The US acts as though it is God and strives for global domination and exceptionalism, resulting in aggressive wars and claiming the lives of hundreds of thousands. The US now allegedly acts as the messenger of God with no obligations, but only the right to act with impunity as it pleases. Should any country anger the US, it will be a target of aggression. Mr. Lavrov specifically cites Yugoslavia, Iraq, and Libya;

–The EU is allegedly showing the same symptoms of exceptionalism and arrogance. For instance, the European Commission allegedly threatened Italy with consequences should right-wing parties sweep to power in upcoming elections;

–Despite all this, the end of unipolar politics is coming. Mr. Lavrov concluded by saying that the question was whether the said order would be with one hegemon forcing everyone to live according to its “Rules Based International Order” or a democratic, just world without blackmail and intimidation, or what Mr. Lavrov calls “neo-Nazism” and “neocolonialism.”

Even if everything Mr. Lavrov said Saturday is 100% morally right and 100% factual, it would still not justify either the “Special Military Operation” or President Putin’s recent nuclear blackmail.