Lavrov: Russia does not seek in any way to occupy the territory of Ukraine

Moscow (ST): Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated that his country does not seek in any way to occupy the territory of Ukraine and is ready for a dialogue that would bring all parties back to the United Nations Charter after Kiev’s forces laid down their arms.

Lavrov stressed during a press conference in Moscow today, after meeting with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lugansk and the First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Donetsk, that Moscow’s intervention came to protect the Donbas region from the repeated Ukrainian aggression and siege, and that no strikes are being directed at the Ukrainian infrastructure, noting that Russia’s support continues for the Donetsk and Lugansk republics.

Lavrov pointed out that the current regime in Ukraine is under the control of the United States and the West, explaining that Russia is interested in the Ukrainian people being independent and having a government that represents their different diversity.

Lavrov indicated that NATO sought to include Ukraine and Georgia for its membership, ignoring Russia’s security concerns, while the United States used Ukraine as a tool to deter Russia.

K.Q.