Ukraine refuses to yield as Lavrov vows Russian objectives will prevail

Much of the information provided by Russian media or government representatives is elements of propaganda. Such reports are part of the information war waged by the Russian Federation.

- The current position of Western countries on Ukraine consists in ignoring the Russian position and expecting Russia's capitulation, but it will not happen, - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told journalists.

- Everyone ignores what we're saying and continues to call on us to show a constructive approach. And in fact, in their understanding, that now means capitulation. There will be no such thing, all the goals of the special military operation will be achieved, there is no doubt about that, said Lavrov.

The head of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated that the Russian side has presented its position "a thousand times," and the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin "as repeatedly said, responding to annoying appeals, that Zelensky has forbidden himself and all his employees to negotiate with Russia by his decree signed two years ago."

- Our president said: at least so that you Westerners have some arguments to reproach us for not wanting to negotiate, let him cancel publicly this very decree of his. Nothing is happening, - added Lavrov.

Putin and Lavrov are keen to convince that Volodymyr Zelensky "ceased to be a legitimate president of the country as his office term expired and all previously concluded agreements with him should be regarded as null and void," just as the Supreme Council of Ukraine. The accusations against Zelensky were based on his failure to organise presidential elections, citing martial law and the expiration of his term.

Lavrov's statement thus confirms that Russia does not want to make peace, but only wants to force Ukraine to capitulate and give up its lands.

Putin said that Russia would end the war in Ukraine if Kyiv cedes four regions that Moscow claims rights to: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia. Large areas of these regions remain under Ukraine’s control, so in essence, he is asking Ukraine to give up territory without a fight.

Putin also said that any peace agreement would require Ukraine to renounce its membership ambitions to NATO, prompting Kyiv to call the proposal "offensive to common sense."

Warnings about such statements from Moscow had already been issued at the beginning of the year.

At the same time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has recently addressed the nation in an unusually subdued tone, indicating that he is ready for negotiations with Russia. Such words were spoken for the first time since Moscow launched a full-scale invasion of this country more than two years ago.

Zelensky suggested that Moscow should send a delegation to the next peace summit, which is to be held in November. Russia was not invited to the previous peace conference, which took place in Switzerland last month, because Zelensky said that talks could only take place after Russia withdraws from Ukraine.