On Thursday Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov spoke during his annual online press conference about the conflict in Ukraine, his stance on the incoming Donald Trump administration and the Syria situation.
“A ceasefire is deemed ‘a path to nowhere’. Russia is not interested in empty discussions about a resolution,” Pravda said regarding Lavrov’s statements on the Ukraine conflict.
Thursday’s statements reiterate what Lavrov said on Wednesday when he was interviewed in a televised 60 Minutes episode.
Once again Lavrov demanded that mechanisms be put in place to prevent Ukraine from violating any agreements they make with Russia, however Lavrov reportedly did not appear to be specific what these mechanisms may be.
Interestingly, the demands Lavrov made regarding Ukrainian negotiations are more comprehensive than the demands Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on December 19, which only entail Ukraine holding elections.
Unlike Lavrov’s statements on Wednesday’s 60 Minutes interview where he said he’s not confident a Trump administration will bring about a resolution to the Ukraine conflict, the Foreign Minister’s statements on Thursday indicate he is at least willing to give the new U.S. leadership a chance at deliberations, in hopes it will result in conflict resolution. He said that the negotiations must be initiated by the U.S.
“Russia is open to consultations with the Trump administration, hoping for an understanding of the conflict’s root causes,” Pravda said regarding Lavrov’s statements on the Ukraine conflict.
Despite this, Lavrov said his belief is that the U.S. will pursue a policy of ‘containing’ Russia under a Trump administration.
Perhaps the most intriguing point the Russian official revealed during the press conference was that Russia allegedly received multiple private proposals from France to discuss the Ukraine situation, without involvement of the Ukrainian leadership.
“France has approached Russia through closed channels to establish dialogue concerning Ukraine without involving Kiev,” Pravda said, summarizing Lavrov’s statements and claims on the matter. “Paris’ ambiguous behavior, given its continuing military support for Kiev, raises doubts about its initiatives.”
While the conflict is still underway however, Lavrov said that targets in Ukraine will be selected based on their threat to Russia. These include decision-making centers in the country’s capital city Kiev, he said.
Lavrov also discussed the ongoing situation in Syria following radical Islamic terrorists gaining control over the country. He said Russia opposes the fragmentation of Syria and that Israel should not compromise Syrian security for its own.
“Russia maintains contact with the new Syrian authorities and anticipates renewed economic cooperation,” Pravda said, summarizing Lavrov’s statements. “Moscow is prepared to assist in organizing elections in Syria with international recognition.”
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