Will respond to agression against Crimea: Russia
July 10, 2014, 5:51 am

A shop assistant displays a T-shirt depicting Russian President Vladimir Putin and reading Greetings from Crimea at the biggest department store GUM on Moscow’s Red Square, Wednesday, June 11, 2014 [AP]

“If it comes to aggression against Russian territory, which Crimea and Sevastopol are parts of, I would not advise anyone to do that,” Lavrov told reporters after talks with his Italian counterpart Federica Mogherini.

Lavrov warned that Russian national security doctrine is “very clear” on how Moscow would react on any attempt to challenge its territorial integrity.

At the upcoming BRICS Summit in Brazil this month, the leaders of the five leading emerging economies are expected to rally around Russia on the Ukrainian crisis.

“Russian President Vladimir Putin very clearly wants to emphasize to the West that he has other options, and the BRICS summit presents a perfect venue for doing just that,” writes columnist and Russia expert Mark Adomanis.

“It would also indicate how the West no longer has a monopoly on setting the international agenda,” he adds.

Moscow has earlier slammed attempts to drive a wedge between Russia and its allies on the Ukrainian crisis after the US admitted it was trying to diplomatically isolate President Vladimir Putin.

But Lavrov said Moscow is ready to discuss the issue of foreign investment with those interested in Crimea.

“There are economic benefits and other interests for foreigners, including Ukrainians. We are ready to consider these issues,” he said, adding that authorities of Crimea and the city of Sevastopol have been authorized to deal with these issues.

On March 18, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a treaty to integrate Crimea and its city of Sevastopol into Russia, following a referendum which found that a large majority of Crimeans supported the affiliation.

However, Ukraine and major western countries have not recognized the affiliation.

China had in March this year abstained from voting on a UN Security Council draft resolution that would have condemned the referendum in Crimea as illegal.

China and India have declared that they will not support Western sanctions against Russia.

“We believe that sanctions are inconducive to the solution of problems. On the contrary, they will escalate tensions,” said Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Qin Gang.

New Delhi has said Moscow has “legitimate” interests in Ukraine and they should be discussed to find a satisfactory solution to the issue.

BRICS have slammed reports to isolate Russian President Vladimir Putin.

“The Ministers noted with concern, the recent media statement on the forthcoming G20 Summit to be held in Brisbane in November 2014.  The custodianship of the G20 belongs to all Member States equally and no one Member State can unilaterally determine its nature and character,” said a joint BRICS statement at the Hague earlier this year. Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop had said that Putin could be barred from attending the G20 Summit in November.

Meanwhile, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said last week that Ukraine will have to deal with a “full-scale gas crisis” by this fall, if Moscow and Kiev fail to promptly settle their gas dispute.

Ukrainian gas debt to Russia is currently $4.46 billion, according to the latest estimates.

TBP and Agencies