MOSCOW: Russia does not believe that the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is in the hands of Moscow and Washington alone, Foreign Ministe...
MOSCOW: Russia does not believe that the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis is in the hands of Moscow and Washington alone, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with American journalist Tucker Carlson.
He noted that a peaceful settlement of the conflict in Ukraine is possible only if Kiev abandons its plans to join NATO, closes Western military bases in the country and cancels exercises involving foreign troops. The West will have to take into account the realities on the ground.
The top diplomat clarified that Russia will judge Donald Trump's administration by concrete steps, but outgoing US President Joe Biden wants to leave Trump a heavy legacy.
TASS has compiled the key statements of the Russian foreign minister.
On Ukrainian conflict
- Moscow is ready for any development of events around Ukraine, but prefers a peaceful settlement taking into account Russia's security interests.
- If Ukraine wants peace, it should give up its NATO aspirations, close Western military bases and cancel drills with foreign troops.
- Zelensky in 2022 was convinced that he would dictate terms to the West, so he signed a decree banning negotiations with Russia.
- The Russian Federation never intended to kill people in Ukraine, unlike Zelensky's regime.
- The Ukrainian conflict should be resolved on the basis of the UN Charter, but in its entirety.
On use of Oreshnik missile
- The West is making a big mistake by believing that Russia's "red lines" are flexible.
- Russia does not want a nuclear war with the United States and is doing everything to prevent it.
- The Oreshnik missile strike showed that Russia is ready to use any means to prevent the West from achieving its goal of inflicting a "strategic defeat" on the country.
- Russia is ready to send additional messages if the West does not draw the necessary conclusions after the use of the Oreshnik missile.
On relations with US
- Russia wants normal relations with the United States and sees no reason why the two countries cannot cooperate.
- There are several closed channels between Moscow and Washington, mostly on issues of prisoner exchange.
- Russia will judge the Trump administration by concrete steps, but outgoing President Joe Biden wants to leave a heavy legacy. This is similar to what President Barack Obama did with Trump.
- Trump is a strong and friendly politician, but he is not pro-Russian.
- The ball in Russia's contacts with the US president-elect is in Trump's court.
On situation in Syria
- Stabilizing the situation in Syria is not easy, it is a complex game involving many actors.
- Russia will discuss with its partners the issue of cutting off the channels of financing and arming terrorists in Syria.
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