On this handout photograph launched by Russian International Ministry Press Service, Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov participates within the Raisina Dialogue convention on the sideline of the G-20 international ministers assembly in New Delhi on Friday.

Russian International Ministry Press Service

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Russian International Ministry Press Service

On this handout photograph launched by Russian International Ministry Press Service, Russian International Minister Sergey Lavrov participates within the Raisina Dialogue convention on the sideline of the G-20 international ministers assembly in New Delhi on Friday.

Russian International Ministry Press Service

Ever since Russia’s invasion in Ukraine, it has turn into uncommon for main worldwide conferences to ask Russian officers. So, when an Indian assume tank welcomed Russian International Minister Sergei Lavrov to talk, it made for some awkward exchanges.

This week, India’s Observer Analysis Basis gathered teachers, enterprise executives and diplomats from the G-20, or Group of 20 economies, for a convention in Delhi often known as the Raisina Dialogue.

On Friday, Lavrov took heart stage of a Q&A session, the place he voiced Moscow’s views on the warfare in Ukraine.

In a single alternate, Lavrov acquired loud applause for accusing the West of getting a double normal, noting its heavy criticism of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine regardless of Western powers having invaded Iraq and Afghanistan. In one other, the response was much less optimistic.

“The warfare, which we try to cease, which was launched in opposition to us utilizing Ukrainian folks,” he stated.

Earlier than Lavrov may end his sentence, the viewers laughed and groaned — loud sufficient for the international minister to pause and detect his phrases.

“After all it influenced the coverage of Russia, together with the vitality coverage. And the blunt option to describe what’s the change, what modified, we might not anymore depend on any companions within the West,” Lavrov added.

The blended response from Lavrov’s declare that Russia was not the aggressor within the battle, however slightly attempting to defend it self, spoke to the sophisticated allegiances which have fashioned from the Ukraine warfare.

India, the world’s largest democracy, has maintained ties with Russia regardless of its invasion. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has not but assigned any blame for the violence. Quite, he has been involved over the spike in international meals and gas costs triggered by the warfare and doubled down on shopping for Russian oil at discount costs.

The Delhi convention was additionally the primary time that Lavrov and U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken met in individual since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine a 12 months in the past. The 2 spoke for roughly 10 minutes on Thursday.

NPR’s Lauren Frayer contributed reporting.