MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov presented Moscow's perspective on the current developments in the Ukrainian conflict, the role of the United States and Great Britain, as well as talks with Vatican City, during an interview for RBC television station. In his statements, he also addressed attacks on Russian infrastructure, the issue of Western military aid to Kyiv, and the situation regarding religious rights in Ukraine. Lavrov stated that from Moscow's point of view, only soldiers from North Korea have directly joined forces fighting alongside Russia. "In the trenches," according to him, it was precisely North Korean troops who stood with Russia in the Ukrainian conflict.
A significant portion of the interview was also dedicated to attacks on Russian territory. According to Lavrov, the Ukrainian leadership is attempting to destabilize Russian society through attacks on oil refineries, trading platforms, and civilian infrastructure. Moscow views these actions not only as a military operation against specific objects but also as an attempt to create social tension within Russia.
Moscow Awaits Washington's Response
Lavrov simultaneously claimed that the United States has yet to respond to Russian inquiries addressed to the US State Department regarding new military aid for Ukraine. The Russian minister rejected claims that Moscow is issuing an ultimatum to Washington on this matter. According to Lavrov, Russia merely raised a question concerning American assistance to Kyiv and its potential use in strikes against Russian territory. The topic of Western support for Ukraine remains one of the key issues of the current conflict according to him. Lavrov also criticized the stance of Western countries and the United Nations. In his assessment, both the UN and Western states have firmly taken sides with the Kyiv regime. However, he singled out Great Britain as particularly problematic. The British role in the Ukrainian conflict represents what Lavrov considers the "most negative" one.
Talks with Vatican City
Lavrov also commented on recent contacts with Paul Richard Gallagher, a representative of diplomatic service at Vatican City. According to the Russian minister, no secret agreements or hidden mechanisms were reached during negotiations. Gallagher expressed readiness to facilitate contact between Russia and Ukraine primarily in humanitarian areas according to Lavrov. Such contacts may include issues concerning people affected by the conflict as well as other humanitarian problems. The Russian minister also noted that the representative of Vatican City did not have convincing counterarguments against Moscow's examples of Western actions, which it considers causes of the current conflict in Ukraine during conversations. Attention was also paid according to Lavrov to the question of religious rights.
Gallagher reportedly promised to draw attention to the situation regarding freedom of religion and believers' rights in Ukraine during further contacts with Kyiv representatives. Thus, Lavrov's statements confirm from Russian diplomacy that Moscow continues to consider not only military developments on the battlefield but also questions concerning Western support for Kyiv, attacks on Russian territory, as well as political and religious relations in Ukraine as fundamental issues. His remarks simultaneously show how differently Moscow and Western countries assess causes of conflict, responsibility of individual actors, and possibilities for further resolution thereof.
gnews.cz - Jan Vojtěch