Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Sunday that more than $300 billion was robbed from Russia, the bulk of which was payouts for oil and gas deliveries, since energy giant Gazprom was required to deposit money in Western bank accounts.
The foreign minister addressed a wide variety of issues in ties between Moscow and the collective West in an extensive interview with an Italian television network. In particular, broad sanctions imposed on Russian businesses and the oil and gas industry following the start of Russia's special military campaign in Ukraine.
"They wanted to ‘punish’ Russia, so they stole it," Lavrov told the Italian Mediaset broadcaster, explaining that "money was stolen from us (over $300 billion)... most of the amount was received for oil and gas supplies."
"Now we are offered to continue trading as before, and the money will remain with them," Lavrov said.
"When they want, they will pocket them again. That's the reason," he added, noting th...