“You Have No Moral Rights”
Maria Zakharova, appearing on the Italian TV channel La7, argued that Western nations talk about opening channels with Russia to sustain dialogue, yet in practice they close them. She claimed flights like Sergei Lavrov’s are blocked, and suggested the Russian delegation should come to Belgrade for negotiations.
“EU and NATO members have shut their airspaces and curtailed another potential channel of communication. There will be no Iron Curtain, at least from our side, so there is no need to worry about the European Union surrounding Russia with a curtain,” Zakharova stated.
She noted that the Western approach is shaped by selfishness and a belief that their power sits at the center of the world, with little regard for peoples beyond their own borders.
“There is no moral right to teach others,” the diplomat added.
Zakharova also pointed out that the U.S.-led bloc has long pursued a strategy that severs ties with Russia, even obstructing efforts to build gas pipelines to Europe, among other actions.
“The Gravediggers of the European Dream”
Konstantin Kosachev, deputy speaker of Russia’s Federation Council, commented on the same broadcast that European countries blocked Lavrov’s flight. He recalled a remark from Bulgarian Foreign Minister Ekaterina Zaharieva years earlier, claiming that Bulgaria does not and cannot have bilateral relations with Russia, and that Moscow does business with the EU rather than with Bulgaria. Kosachev described those words as humiliating for a European nation.
He argued that the refusal by Bulgaria, Montenegro, and North Macedonia to permit Lavrov’s plane to pass over their airspace was not a purely national decision. All three states are NATO members whose sovereignty has been significantly compromised. In his view, the European Union serves as a cover for this compromised stance and does not reflect genuine independence for these countries.
Kosachev asserted that the current situation could not have occurred without a NATO exit and U.S. involvement. He framed the airspace ban as NATO’s direct interference in Russia-Serbia relations, stressing that both Russia and Serbia are sovereign states not members of NATO.
In his assessment, NATO is attempting to extend its influence across Europe and eventually worldwide, with China appearing as a potential next target after Russia.
He argued that Europe’s lack of sovereignty is its core problem and that the continent could remain indivisible without NATO. He listed Bulgaria, Montenegro, and North Macedonia as grave diggers of a true European dream, and even included the United Kingdom and Poland in that list of questionable actors.
He emphasized that the current steps are not solely about aircraft but are a political strike against Russia and Serbia. He expressed hope for a strong, united, and concrete response, not only through protests but through tangible actions.
“Attack on Serbia”
In remarks given to a media outlet, Andrey Klimov, deputy chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Relations, described the incident as an affront to the Russian Foreign Ministry and as an attack on Serbia itself. He argued that the situation should be viewed as a direct challenge to Serbia, highlighting that President Aleksandar Vučić remains a symbol of independence in the region and that foreign pressures are aimed at eroding that stance.
Klimov supported Kosachev’s call for a stringent response from Moscow, insisting that the reaction should be robust and multi-faceted rather than symbolic.
“Terrible” for European Lavrov
Grigory Karasin, head of the Federation Council’s international committee, wrote on a messaging channel that the overflight ban provoked strong emotions in Europe. He argued that blocking direct contact between the EU, Russian officials, and foreign partners would undermine any hope for a unified European policy toward Moscow. He described this as a sign of political insecurity and a miscalculation by Western governments.
According to Karasin, fears in the West about losing a handle on dialogue with Russia indicate a lack of confidence in their own approach to the crisis.
In a lighter note, Dmitry Rogozin, the former Roscosmos chief, posted a tongue-in-cheek comment on social media about the Sarmat missile system after news of the airspace bans surfaced. He teased that the system could become a symbol of resilience, mocking the responses of nearby states and others who have historical ties to the region.
Press Conference Instead of a Business Trip
Late last night, Bulgaria, Montenegro, and North Macedonia barred Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s plane from crossing their airspace. Consequently, his visit to Serbia, planned for 6-7 June, was canceled. The Russian Foreign Ministry announced that Lavrov would hold a press conference at 13:00 Moscow time on the day of the intended visit to address current international issues. Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić also planned to speak to the nation about the Lavrov visit and the surrounding situation, as reported by RTS.