Russia says diesel deal with US ‘purely business arrangement’ with no additional conditions

By Kanyshai Butun

ISTANBUL (AA) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Tuesday that a reported diesel deal between Russia and the US was a "purely business arrangement" without political or security-related conditions.

Speaking at a meeting with chief editors of African media outlets in Moscow, Lavrov described the arrangement as a "pragmatic approach" by leaders concerned about their countries' economies and the global economy.

He said the interests of citizens were being prioritized over geopolitical objectives.

"There were no conditions – such as 'we’ll buy diesel fuel from you, provided you take certain actions on the political or security front, whether in the Strait of Hormuz or anywhere else' – there were no such linkages whatsoever," Lavrov said.

- Lavrov criticizes European approach to negotiations

Commenting on a phone call involving Russian President Vladimir Putin, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr, Lavrov said he had not seen a detailed account of the conversation but believed it had produced "nothing new."

"This merely demonstrates a desire on the part of the Europeans to insert themselves into the negotiation process – though with what positions they intend to do so remains a big question," he said.

"We do not yet see any change in Europe's approach," Lavrov added.

- Russia accuses Western countries of involvement in Sahel sabotage

Turning to Africa, Lavrov accused Western countries, including France, of involving Ukrainian military personnel in what he described as terrorist operations and acts of sabotage in the Sahel region, particularly in Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso.

"There is growing evidence that certain Western capitals, including Paris, though not exclusively, are bringing in Ukrainian military personnel to carry out terrorist tasks. They are being brought there and used to organize acts of sabotage," Lavrov claimed.

He said Russia was assisting Sahel countries in their fight against terrorism, with the Russian Defense Ministry's Africa Corps operating in the region.