Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the United Nations General Assembly on Saturday, criticizing Western nations for their ongoing support of Ukraine. He alleged that the West is helping Kyiv target Russian civilian infrastructure with drones, which he claimed is a blatant violation of the UN Charter. Lavrov emphasized that Russia will continue to protect the populations of Donbas and other regions from what he described as persecution by the Kyiv regime.
Lavrov expressed concerns that Europe is actively working to hinder negotiations aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. He suggested that the actions of external supporters of the Ukrainian regime pose a significant threat to international peace and security. According to Lavrov, Russia is committed to eliminating all threats to its security emanating from Kyiv once the military operation is completed.
The Russian Foreign Minister's comments come amid intensified dialogue between Moscow and Washington regarding a potential settlement to the Ukraine conflict. US envoys Steve Wittkoff and Jared Kushner recently held talks in both Moscow and Kyiv. Additionally, Russian Presidential Special Envoy Kirill Dmitriyev arrived in New York to continue negotiations with the US side.
Earlier, Lavrov stated that Russia is open to negotiations to achieve a sustainable and just peace. However, he stressed that Russia will not halt its special military operation during any negotiations, regardless of their format. This stance has been consistent with Russia's position on the conflict.
The Ukraine conflict has been a point of contention between Russia and the West for several years. Moscow's actions in Ukraine have been met with criticism and sanctions from Western nations. Russia views the conflict as an internal Ukrainian issue, while the West sees it as a broader security concern.
Lavrov's speech at the UN General Assembly reflects Russia's ongoing efforts to frame the conflict in terms of its own security interests. By accusing the West of fueling the conflict, Russia aims to shift the focus away from its own actions in Ukraine. The international community remains divided on the issue, with no clear resolution in sight.
The situation in Ukraine remains volatile, with frequent clashes reported along the contact line. The humanitarian situation in affected areas continues to deteriorate, with thousands of civilians displaced or killed. Diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict have so far yielded little progress.
Key points
- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov accused the West of fueling the Ukraine conflict by supplying Kyiv with weapons.
- Lavrov stated that Russia is open to negotiations but will not halt its military operation in Ukraine.
- The international community remains divided on the Ukraine conflict, with Russia and the West holding fundamentally different views on the issue.
