Russian Foreign Minister Says Billions Of Dollars And Euros Are Spent On Arming Ukraine, But Europe Threats Of Poverty

Menteri Luar Negeri Russia Sergei Lavrov. (Wikimedia Commons/Administration of the President of Russia)

JAKARTA - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Europeans are at risk of inflation and a decline in quality of life due to anti-Russian sanctions, with many at risk of poverty, as billions of dollars and euros are spent arming Ukraine.

"Quality of life is deteriorating in Europe, inflation is rising, growth rates are slowing. There is even a new concept of 'the new poor'. People are suffering from emerging problems, including rising prices. Many will face poverty," Foreign Minister Lavrov said in an interview with RTRS as quoted from TASS 6 June.

Meanwhile, tens of billions of dollars and euros are being spent on arming Ukraine, Lavrov said.

"Germany said it was important for Berlin not to support Germany during a difficult time of price growth, but to allocate US$100 billion for the militarization of their country," he said.

"This reminds many in Europe that Germany's statements about the need to transform itself into a leading European power, may not be considered so innocent by many."

Foreign Minister Lavrov underlined that Russia has long lost faith in the reliability and negotiability of Western countries. He pointed out that, after the 2014 sanctions, Russia began to rely on its own capabilities and contacts with reliable partners.

"The steps we took turned us into the biggest agricultural power. Before, we imported a lot of food," the senior diplomat concluded.