Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov strongly criticized Western policy towards Ukraine in an interview with the TASS news agency. Lavrov claimed that Western countries are trying to strategically defeat and dismember Russia.
Lavrov alleged that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is constantly retreating on the front lines and resorting to acts of terrorism out of desperation. "Westerners see that Zelenskyy's long-range weapons are hitting targets. They have started to present these developments as a turning point," he said.
Speaking about the West's condition of a ceasefire before negotiations, Lavrov said:
"Western countries want a ceasefire to be established before negotiations. And then, under the leadership of France and the UK, they will introduce military forces into Ukraine. Only after that will they sit at the negotiating table. This is an ultimatum. Maintaining the contact line will ensure the continuation of the Nazi regime (in Ukraine). They will not recognize the regions where referendums were held."
Lavrov stated that the US and Europe are not ready to establish equal and mutually respectful relations with Russia, which is why alternative power centers like BRICS have emerged.
Emphasizing Russia's determination to protect its independence and borders, Lavrov said there must be no interference in its internal affairs.
Recalling that former Russian President Boris Yeltsin resigned in 1999 and handed power to Vladimir Putin, Lavrov said: "At that time, he (Putin) was the only person who could save Russia. This is a historic turning point. This means that Russia has been chosen by God. When things get tough, help comes to us from above."
Lavrov said that when Putin came to power he was open to an equal strategic partnership with the West, but now former allies are fighting against Russia through Ukraine. "Now our former allies, with various degrees of madness – London more so, the US somewhat less – are fighting against us using Ukraine's hands, giving modern weapons to Ukraine," he stated.
Lavrov also added that the West imposes sanctions to block Russia's development.
