Russian FM Lavrov Complains About Plane Refueling Issues Due to Sanctions

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov complained about encountering difficulties in servicing his aircraft due to sanctions, with "friendly" countries refusing to refuel his plane.

Lavrov stated this in an interview on Novyi Mir, a show on Russian propagandist Vladimir Solovyov’s channel, Solovyov Live.

According to the Russian minister, in 2023, when he traveled to South Africa to represent Russian leader Vladimir Putin at the BRICS summit in Johannesburg, there was "quite a story" involving difficulties returning.

"Because, as it turns out, nearly all the companies that provide aviation fuel are not owned by the country," he explained.

He added that a similar problem arose during his visit to Brazil. On that occasion, Lavrov had to use his colleague’s plane, Mauro Vieira, to meet President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

According to Lavrov, "friendly" countries will be "forced to fear" secondary sanctions for some time, particularly because some of these nations still retain elements of "neocolonialism."

“Decolonization occurred as a global process, but later, when Africa gained independence, it became clear that while political independence was achieved, they couldn’t even refuel a plane for their guest. Therefore, true control over their resources and freedom is something else. [...] After shedding the chains of colonialism, they realized they now needed to shed the chains of economic dependency," Lavrov said, adding that "for normal people, of course, a sense of grievance for their country, for their sovereignty, inevitably forms and strengthens."

The US, EU, and UK have been consistently imposing sanctions on Russian companies and individuals. Recently, the UK introduced 46 new sanctions against Russia, including measures targeting individuals associated with the Wagner Group.