Lavrov Says Russia Open to Ukraine Talks, Rules Out Halting Military Operations
Russia's foreign minister told the UN Security Council that Moscow is ready for peace negotiations with Ukraine but will not pause its military operations during any talks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is prepared to hold negotiations with Ukraine, but made clear that Russia will not suspend its military operations while any such talks take place.
Addressing a United Nations Security Council meeting in New York, Lavrov said Russia is ready for talks aimed at securing what he described as a sustainable and just peace. He said the objectives to be achieved through such negotiations had been set out in a policy speech by President Vladimir Putin.
However, Lavrov said Russia would not halt what it calls its special military operation during negotiations, whatever format they take. He said Europe wants a pause in the fighting, and accused European countries of seeking a respite in order to replenish Ukraine's depleted military supplies.
He further alleged that Kyiv, out of desperation, has long resorted to what he called blatantly terrorist tactics.
The remarks were delivered at the Security Council session in New York, where Lavrov restated Russia's position on the conditions under which it would engage in diplomacy over the war in Ukraine.