MOSCOW, July 1 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday called for strengthening the International Committee of the Red Cross on the principles of independence and impartiality that have underpinned the humanitarian organization since its founding, while leveling pointed accusations at Western governments of seeking to exploit the ICRC for political purposes in the conflict in Ukraine.

Lavrov made the remarks during a meeting in Moscow with ICRC President Mirjana Spoljaric, part of the Swiss diplomat's ongoing engagement with Russian authorities over the humanitarian consequences of the Russia-Ukraine war. The Russian foreign ministry said a wide range of issues were on the agenda, including humanitarian conditions in regio...