Sergei Lavrov discussed the current situation between Russia and Ukraine at a conference in New Delhi, India. Again he blamed the West for the “war”. The fact that he explicitly uses the word “war” is rare.

Basically, it’s about Russia’s energy policy. The 72-year-old said: “You know, the war that we are trying to end and that has been waged against us, where Ukraine has been used…”

After a brief pause caused by laughter from the auditorium, he then added hesitantly: It (the war) has affected Russian politics, including energy policy. Russia will never again depend on partners in the West. Instead, they want reliable partners in energy policy, India and China certainly among them.

At the end of a 30-minute conversation broadcast by news website Firstpost at the Raisina conference, the moderator said goodbye to Lavrov. In doing so, he asked if he could promise that the next conversation would take place at a less perilous time. “The Americans will surely suggest some questions you can use.” Lavrov said this, got up, smiled and walked off the stage laughing.

The multilateral conference, organized by a think tank and India’s Ministry of External Affairs, takes place annually in New Delhi. The main topics are geopolitics and economics.

Laughter at Lavrov’s appearance caused a great resonance in social networks. Lavrov became a joke, world powers were only laughed at, it must have been a shame, according to the reactions.

India has close economic and military ties with Russia. But the state wants to remain neutral. Most of the equipment used by the Indian armed forces comes from Russia.

Recently, India abstained from voting in the UN General Assembly on the resolution marking the first anniversary of the Ukraine war. The resolution contained demands for peace and Moscow’s withdrawal.