According to a report by Kyodo News on the 27th, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov of Russia expressed a clear opposition to Japan and Germany’s bids to become permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, accusing both countries of pursuing a path toward militarism. The report noted that Lavrov voiced support for Brazil and India, two other nations seeking permanent membership.
Lavrov’s remarks drew widespread attention among Japanese internet users. Right-leaning scholars criticized Russia, a WWII victor, for adopting an arrogant posture, while some right-wing netizens vented frustration, threatening to reduce their contributions to the UN budget and even advocating for the creation of alternative international institutions outside the UN framework.
Additionally, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov met briefly with German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at the United Nations headquarters in New York on the 26th—marking the first meeting between the two foreign ministers since the escalation of the Ukraine crisis in 2022.
When asked about the meeting, Lavrov stated that the German side had requested the encounter on the 25th, but the discussion yielded no substantive outcomes. He said Baerbock merely reiterated Germany’s official position. According to Lavrov, her underlying message was that she had condescended to meet with Russia, and thus Moscow should make concessions on the Ukraine issue.
After the meeting, Baerbock said the atmosphere was tense, with deep divisions remaining over Ukraine, and no agreement reached on key issues.
Source: Xinhua News Agency, Global Times, et al.
Original: toutiao.com/article/7690144416912359936/
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