Lavrov's ultimatum: Impossible conditions for Ukraine peace
Sergey Lavrov gave an extensive interview to the state-run TASS agency. The head of Russian diplomacy emphasised the need for a "lasting agreement on Ukraine". At the same time, in a propagandistic discourse, Lavrov continued to set Ukraine absurd, impossible-to-fulfil conditions.
Many pieces of information provided by Russian media or government representatives are elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information warfare conducted by the Russian Federation.
In the interview, Lavrov stated that so far no official signals have come from the West to the Kremlin expressing a desire to start negotiations on Ukraine. He declared that "Russia is ready for talks, but they must concern credible agreements".
- Of course, we are not satisfied with the proposals made on behalf of President-elect Donald Trump's team concerning the postponement of Ukraine's NATO membership by 20 years and the introduction of a peacekeeping contingent of British and European forces into Ukraine - stated Lavrov.
The politician emphasised that a potential peace agreement should include provisions "eliminating the causes" of the war in Ukraine.
However, in practice, their inclusion may prove unfeasible. In the past, Russia has repeatedly imposed absurd, impossible-to-fulfill criteria on Ukraine as conditions for ending military actions. These include "demilitarisation and denazification" of the country and limiting Ukraine's sovereignty by forcing it to forgo joining NATO.
Lavrov assessed that among Alliance members, "there is a visible lack of unity on Ukrainian membership." - NATO expansion was one of the main causes of the Ukrainian crisis. Ensuring Ukraine's neutral status remains one of the goals of the special military operation, which must be achieved - he declared.
Russia awaits Trump. Lavrov is already setting conditions
The head of Russian diplomacy also spoke about how he envisions cooperation between the Kremlin and Donald Trump's administration.
- Even if Donald Trump attempts to restore bilateral ties, he will have to "swim against the current," considering the bipartisan consensus that has developed in the United States on containing Russia (...). If the Americans consider our interests, the dialogue will gradually be restored. If they do not consider this, everything will remain as it is - he stated.
Source: TASS