Russian FM slams Western approach to Ukraine conflict, rules out Russian capitulation

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has sharply criticized the stance of Western countries regarding the Ukraine conflict, asserting that they are ignoring Russia’s position and expecting its capitulation, which he claims will not occur.

"Everyone misses by ears and continues to call on us to show a constructive approach. And in fact, in their understanding now it means capitulation. There will be no such thing; all the goals of the special military operation will be achieved, there is no doubt about it," Lavrov stated, Caliber.Az reports via Russian news sources.

He emphasized that Russia has consistently communicated its position and that President Vladimir Putin has repeatedly addressed Western calls for negotiation.

"Zelenskyy had forbidden himself and all his employees to negotiate with Russia by a decree signed two years ago," Lavrov noted. He added that President Putin has suggested that if Western leaders want a valid argument against Russia’s reluctance to negotiate, they should press Ukraine to publicly cancel the decree.

"Our president said: at least in order for you Westerners to have any arguments to reproach us for not wanting to negotiate, let him cancel publicly this very decree of his. Nothing is happening," Lavrov concluded.

Moreover, Lavrov said that he does not listen to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's statements about his readiness for negotiations with the Russian side.

Commenting on Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba's recent statement that it was impossible to put pressure on Ukraine and force it to negotiate, Lavrov said "This is not the first time he [Kuleba] has said this, and he said sometimes even more directly opposite things. Just recently, they talked about negotiations, Zelenskyy mentioned the readiness to eventually sit down at the table with Russian representatives. I do not listen to them, frankly speaking."