Lavrov implies Russia intends to keep fighting: Rhetoric about 'defending Russian speakers' persists
Photo: Sergey Lavrov, Russian Foreign Minister (Getty Images)
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov mentioned the absurd justification for the war against Ukraine as "protecting Russian speakers." Moscow intends to "rescue" them once again, according to Agentstvo.Novosti.
"We cannot leave people under the control of the regime currently in power there," Lavrov said, reflecting on Ukraine.
The official of the aggressor country threatened that Russia cannot allow a situation where, after the cessation of hostilities, Ukrainians will "live by the laws adopted by the Zelenskyy junta."
"On the territory of Ukraine... millions of people speak Russian, it is their native language. And to leave them under the leadership of a junta that has even banned speaking Russian — only thinking has not yet been banned — that would be a very great crime," the Russian Foreign Minister continued with his fantasies.
A similar statement was recently made by the Russian President, Vladimir Putin. In an interview marking the 25th anniversary of his first inauguration, the Kremlin leader threatened that Russia has enough strength and means to "bring what was started in 2022 to a logical conclusion with a result favorable to Russia."
"And this result is the elimination of the causes that led to this crisis, the creation of conditions for long-term sustainable peace, ensuring the security of the Russian state, and protecting the interests of our people in those territories we always talk about. There, where people consider Russian their native language, where they consider Russia their homeland," the Kremlin leader said.
The Russian authorities’ statements about "protecting Russian speakers" in Ukraine appear especially cynical in light of how Russia razes to the ground settlements in the eastern regions of Ukraine where the majority of the population speaks Russian.
Peace negotiations
Ukraine and Russia resumed direct contacts last week. They agreed to carry out a prisoner exchange on a 1000 for 1000 basis, which began today.
At the same time, discussions about a possible ceasefire have not yet yielded results. Moscow is making tough demands and is not showing readiness for immediate de-escalation.
