Lavrov: US wants to dominate the world

Russian foreign minister Sergey Lavrov had disparaging words for US President Barack Obama's annual State of the Union address, saying it showcased America's "aggressive foreign policy" and quest to dominate world affairs.

"Americans have set a course for confrontation," Lavrov told reporters Wednesday.

"Obama's address yesterday shows that there's just one thing at the heart of (their) philosophy: 'We are number one' and the rest should acknowledge that," he added, referencing the President's comment that US sanctions against Russia over its role in the Ukraine crisis had left the Kremlin isolated and the Russian economy "in tatters."

Obama had other harsh criticisms for Russia, calling Moscow a "bully" for annexing Crimea and supporting separatist rebels in eastern Ukraine.

Lavrov condescendingly called US policy "a bit out of date" and out of touch with "modern realities," adding that attempts to isolate Russia would fail and one day Washington's hostile policy would be a thing of the past.

The West wants to 'throttle Russia'

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov also gave his two cents about Obama's State of the Union on Wednesday, saying that Western countries were using the Ukraine conflict in an attempt to wreck the Russian economy and topple President Vladimir Putin from power.

"In the West they are trying to kick out Putin, to isolate him in international politics, to throttle Russia economically due to their interests, to bring down Putin," Peskov told a Russian daily.

Peskov insisted that contrary to Obama's "tatters" comment, the Russian economy was under control despite "illegal sanctions" imposed by the West. The sanctions, along with low oil prices, have seen the ruble quickly lose over half its value against the dollar.

A change in US policy on Syria?

Foreign Minister Lavrov did have some positive things to say, however, on Obama's stance towards "Islamic State" (IS). Russia backs Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and claim that rebel militants present the biggest risk to regional security, prompting Lavrov to praise what he sees as Washington's growing realization that IS fighters constitute the most serious threat to Syria.

"It's good that this understanding is growing. What's most important is to translate this into practice soon," Lavrov said, referring to an article in the New York Times that said this week Washington appeared to be changing its Syria policy toward supporting the idea of a "gradual change," though still one where Assad stepped down.

Lavrov also said that despite his disapproval of US policy, he is in regular contact with US Secretary of State John Kerry. He said Moscow was ready to cooperate with the US as long as both sides maintained mutual respect.

es/shs (AP, AFP)