Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov assessed efforts to end the war in Ukraine at a news conference he held in New York following the 81st session of the United Nations General Assembly. Lavrov said Moscow would not temporarily halt its operations while the parties negotiated the terms of a settlement, and argued that Russia would achieve its objectives.
Lavrov accuses Europe of obstructing the peace process
Lavrov alleged that some European countries were trying to prevent efforts to find a peaceful solution to the Ukraine issue and to launch talks. He argued that these efforts were aimed at weakening the possibility of negotiations, which the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has also shown interest in.
The Russian minister said Western countries continued to send weapons to Kyiv. Lavrov alleged that these countries were helping Ukraine direct its unmanned aerial vehicles and missiles at civilian infrastructure and civilians. He said the West's goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia would turn into a strategic impasse for those who provoked the war.
Lavrov says he heard no new proposal in talks with Wadephul
Lavrov said German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul reiterated Berlin's official position condemning Russia during their meeting. Lavrov said no new element had been presented during the talks and that he was left with the impression that the German minister expected certain concessions from Russia on Ukraine.
The Russian foreign minister argued that Wadephul repeated the main points of his speech at the United Nations General Assembly during the meeting and did not present a new proposal for negotiations. Lavrov also noted that they had not refused to listen to representatives of countries that strongly condemned Moscow.
The meeting between Lavrov and Wadephul was the first talks between the Russian and German foreign ministers since 2022 and lasted about 20 minutes. Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said the meeting was requested by the German side. According to the German side, Wadephul urged Moscow to abandon its “dangerous path of escalation” toward Germany, Europe and NATO.
Lavrov argues that Moscow will achieve its objectives
Lavrov said the process Russia calls a “special military operation” would achieve its objectives and that threats to his country's security would be eliminated. He said Russia would continue its struggle despite the West maintaining its arms support for Ukraine and the silence of the United Nations leadership.
Lavrov said Russia launched the operation in 2022 to protect the security and rights of people in Donbas and Novorossiya. Arguing that Moscow was acting in accordance with the United Nations Charter, Lavrov reiterated that he did not accept suspending operations while the parties discussed the terms of a settlement.
Lavrov calls for a return to the Anchorage and Islamabad agreements
Lavrov said Moscow was ready to return to the agreement he said had been reached in Anchorage. He alleged that Europe was trying to join the process supported by the United States and felt that it had been excluded from the process.
The Russian minister also described the Islamabad Agreement, which he said had been signed between the United States and Iran, as a fair agreement. He said the parties should consider the possibility of returning to this agreement, which was signed at the highest level.
Lavrov stresses neutrality for the new UN secretary-general
Lavrov said the candidates under consideration for the position of United Nations secretary-general possessed the qualities required by the post. Arguing that the new secretary-general should represent the interests not only of the “golden billion” but of all humanity, Lavrov said the candidate should adhere to the principles of neutrality and independence set out in the United Nations Charter.
