Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Moscow is prepared for negotiations on Ukraine, but only under conditions that safeguard Russia’s legitimate national interests.
“As President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly emphasized, Russia is ready for negotiations, provided that our national interests are protected—not at the expense of others, but within the framework of a comprehensive security agreement where no party is left vulnerable,” Lavrov said, as reported by TASS.
Russia’s Stance on the Conflict
Lavrov asserted that the roots of the Ukraine crisis run deep, but Moscow no longer wishes to dwell on them and instead insists on eliminating the core causes.
According to Lavrov, these include:
- NATO’s eastward expansion, which Russia perceives as a security threat.
- The Kiev government’s legitimacy, which Moscow claims was established through an unconstitutional coup.
- The protection of the Russian language and culture in Ukraine.
He emphasized that only a complete and irreversible resolution of these issues can pave the way for ending the conflict.
Lavrov also referenced the United Nations Charter and agreements previously reached within the OSCE, suggesting that these principles should guide negotiations but have been disregarded by the West.
