US Aims to Turn the World into Its "Backyard": Lavrov on Referendums

The referendums held in the Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions have outraged Western countries. However, the residents of these territories are merely responding to the statements made by the Ukrainian president that Russians must leave Ukraine. This assertion was made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during his speech at the 77th session of the UN General Assembly.

“This is how the residents of the aforementioned regions are acting, taking their lands with them, where their ancestors have lived for centuries,” said Lavrov.

According to Lavrov, the US is currently trying to globalize the Monroe Doctrine (“America for Americans”), turning the entire country into America’s “backyard.”

He stated that the tool for coercing dissenters is unilateral illegal sanctions, which have been applied for many years in violation of the UN Charter and are used as political blackmail.

“The cynicism of this practice is evident. The restrictions harm the peaceful population, preventing them from accessing essential goods, including medicines, vaccines, and food,” Lavrov said.

The Foreign Minister mentioned that the society has appealed to regional authorities, demanding immediate referendums. They believe that joining the Russian Federation will secure their territories and restore historical justice. In their view, this decision is urgent and necessary in the context of the ongoing terrorist actions by Ukrainian nationalistic authorities and NATO members, who supply weapons for killing peaceful residents.

It is worth noting that Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on September 21 that Russia would support the decision made by the residents of Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions.