Speaking at a press conference on the sidelines of the CICA Summit on October 15, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov commented on Zelensky’s threat to renew attacks on oil refineries in Russia, despite President Trump’s warnings that he should stop. Lavrov also spoke of the restrictions placed on Ukraine’s Starshield system in an attempt to get Ukraine to the negotiating table. “As for the diesel deal, it was brought to the table, and we supported it,” Lavrov said “But Vladimir Zelensky has said publicly on several occasions, ‘Stop bothering me about this diesel deal. Give me Patriot system missiles instead, for I need to keep striking Russia’s energy sector, including its oil refineries.’ This is a direct and, moreover, crudely worded challenge to US President Donald Trump, who has actively supported this deal and spoken publicly about it on several occasions. I think everyone understands this by now. They are also fully aware that such behavior has become typical of Vladimir Zelensky, who believes that the whole world owes him, while he owes nothing to anyone.”

When asked about the number of seizures of vessels carrying Russian oil by the forces of the West, Lavrov replied. “This is not the only manifestation of piracy, banditry, or outright plunder. Call it what you will. Attempts to undermine every conceivable existing provision governing international trade and international economic relations that has been approved under international law have become the West’s hallmark. In recent years, it has been trying by every means possible, fair or foul, though more often foul, to slow down the objective process of establishing a multipolar and just world order. “