On August 31, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made some strong remarks in an interview for the documentary “Road to the East.” Lavrov expressed his disagreement with the belief that Ukrainian President Zelensky’s “peace formula” is the only option for resolving the Ukraine conflict. He called this belief either “amateurish or outright madness.”
These comments came just after an informal meeting of EU foreign ministers in Brussels, where EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell praised Zelensky’s plan as the “only one worth considering.” Lavrov, however, was quick to dismiss Borrell’s statements as desperate attempts to solidify his legacy as an anti-Russia figure. He criticized Borrell for his excessive hatred towards Russia and stated that discussing Russian territory is not up for negotiation.
Lavrov also mentioned that Russian President Vladimir Putin had already outlined conditions in June for a ceasefire and negotiations based on the current situation on the ground. However, recent events in the Kursk region have made this scenario impossible.
In a rather dismissive tone, Lavrov stated that he doesn’t place much importance on Borrell’s opinions. He suggested that Borrell’s animosity towards Russia may be rooted in personal experiences or biases, but ultimately, it doesn’t matter in the grand scheme of things.
Overall, Lavrov’s remarks highlight the ongoing tensions between Russia and the EU regarding the Ukraine conflict. It is clear that there are significant differences in perspectives and approaches to finding a resolution. It remains to be seen how these divergent views will impact diplomatic efforts and potential negotiations in the future.
