Lavrov held a press conference on the second day of the 30th meeting of the OSCE Ministerial Council, held in Skopje, the capital of North Macedonia.
Kyiv and its masters do not want to look for a solution
Regarding the question of whether to start a new negotiation process with Ukraine, Lavrov said: He added: “We do not see any signs from Kiev or its masters that they are ready to search for any political solution. If you listen to what all the secretaries-general of NATO and the European Union are saying, they say only one thing: “We have to support Ukraine, because if Ukraine is defeated it will be a defeat for the entire West.” It takes two people to start a political process. Just like in tango. But they dance breakdancing, not tango.” He said.
Lavrov also confirmed that Russian military operations in Ukraine will continue. “We see no reason to review our goals.” He said.
“Blinken escapes”
Lavrov also mentioned that the ministers of some Western countries did not attend the OSCE meeting, and US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken left Skopje after attending the informal dinner held before the meeting. Lavrov, “There were no Ukrainian ministers at the event, nor ministers of Poland and the Baltic states. My understanding is that Blinken and Borrell (EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy) also left. Why is this happening? I think they are confirming their intention to isolate Russia. I think they are cowards, afraid to have an honest conversation with the facts. He said: “My counterpart, Blinken, fled, and I did not flee anywhere.” Lavrov also said that there was no possibility of holding a bilateral meeting with Blinken and Borrell, and said: “It is impossible to hold an honest meeting with the facts at hand.” He said.
“Western countries were making plans in the Black Sea”
Lavrov stated that after the Minsk Agreement signed after the civil war that began in Ukraine, Western countries began using this agreement to implement military plans on the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov. “It was planned to establish an American military base in the Black Sea and a British base in the Sea of Azov. If you photograph the map, this is not acceptable under any circumstances. “It posed unacceptable risks for Russia.” He said.
(Tags for translation)Russia