Lavrov: EU Lost Its Autonomy, Suffers Enormous Losses From What US Dragged It Into

Since the launch of the Russian special military operation in Ukraine, Western countries have adopted several packages of sanctions against Russia. The Ukraine crisis and sanctions have accelerated Europe-wide inflation and resulted in disruptions to supply chains and a spike in energy prices worldwide.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the European Union has lost its autonomy and is suffering enormous losses from what the United States has dragged it into.

"By pursuing their thoughtless course on the 'abolition of Russia', the Anglo-Saxons have achieved the unconditional subordination of the entire collective West, NATO, as well as the European Union, which has finally lost its course on strategic autonomy," Lavrov said.

No CIS state is immune to interference from the West led by the United States, Lavrov added.

"But it is obvious that no CIS state is immune from such interventions. This is clearly seen in the impudent actions of the United States, NATO, and the European Union in Central Asia and the South Caucasus," Lavrov said.

The goal of the West is to further fragment the post-Soviet space, to divide the peoples; the most striking example is the creation of an "anti-Russia" in Ukraine, Sergei Lavrov said.

"It's no secret that the philosophy of 'divide and rule' is actively used by the West in relation to the states of the former Soviet Union. The goal is absolutely clear - to further fragment the post-Soviet space, to divide our countries and peoples, to impose unprofitable schemes of interaction, to push them to the margins of global processes," Lavrov said.

For several months, European countries have been facing an acute economic crisis, partially caused by supply chain disruptions and sanctions imposed by the West against Russia in response to its military operation in Ukraine. With prices on energy, food skyrocketing and household and business asking for more financing assistance, some of the EU countries have adopted relief packages to boost the economy and mitigate consequences of the crisis. The EU has already approved seven packages of sanctions against Moscow.

In February, Russia began a military operation in Ukraine responding to calls for help from the republics of Donetsk and Lugansk. Western countries responded by imposing comprehensive sanctions against Moscow, while also ramping up their military support for Kiev.