MOSCOW. Feb 18 (Interfax) - Western media reports on the Russian invasion of Ukraine are fake stories that make one smile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"I am positive that everyone more or less interested in foreign politics has realized that these are nothing but propaganda, fakes and hoaxes. Importantly, the authors of these fake stories have to believe in what they say. They like it. That's okay as long as they are happy. Why not do it?" Lavrov said in an interview with the RT television channel on Friday.
"This makes us smile," he said.
"Adults 'spew' forecasts and spells every day. Politico magazine has repeatedly updated the date of 'invasion.' February 20 is in their latest announcement. Meanwhile, Foreign Secretary Elizabeth Truss said that the 'invasion' might happen any time over months," Lavrov said.
"They are securing their future prospects. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said that the 'invasion' is a matter of weeks or even days. We know that the Department of State has told NATO allies in private they should be expecting the 'invasion' by the end of February. In turn, NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg (no matter what one may think about his performance) says they do not have information to confirm 100% probability of an 'attack'," Lavrov said.
"Meanwhile, the [UK] Foreign Office says everyone should stay alert no matter what happens. It implies that the threat will not be gone even if Russia pulls out forces. They are laying a foundation for the future. Troops will go back to barracks when the exercise is over. The process has begun, and they can see that. Yet they are making sure that this topic goes on forever and saying the threat will persist even if Russia sends its troops back to base," he said.