Lavrov says escalating nuclear talk reflects frustration with Russia

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the growing use of nuclear rhetoric ahead of negotiations on Ukraine is linked to what he described as the inability of Russia’s opponents to achieve success against Moscow.

According to TASS, Lavrov told journalists that the increasingly sharp statements reflect frustration among Russia’s adversaries.

“They are probably upset that nothing is working out for them, I think. And the goal is still for Russia to lose. They say, ‘Ukraine is winning.’ Well, if that's how they see it,” he said.

Commenting on the so-called “coalition of the willing,” Lavrov argued that it consists of “those who are willing to pass themselves off as real,” adding that, in his view, the initiative represents an attempt to portray desired outcomes as existing realities.

Lavrov also emphasised that Moscow believes priority should be given to addressing the substantive issues required for a peaceful settlement rather than accelerating negotiations to meet predetermined timelines.

“Have you heard anything from us about deadlines? We don't have deadlines; we have tasks. We are solving them,” he said.

By Tamilla Hasanova