Too early to assess Russian-Ukrainian negotiations — Lavrov

MOSCOW, March 3. /TASS/. It is too early to assess the Russian-Ukrainian negotiations and the current situation. It’s necessary to wait for their completion and the official comment by the Russian chief negotiator, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview for the media Thursday.

 

“I cannot assess the situation at the moment after the negotiations. They haven’t begun yet. They should start now. I believe that the head of the delegation [of the Russian Federation] who is currently negotiating with the Ukrainian side, will, of course, make a statement upon their completion. Then we’ll know everything,” the minister noted.

 

The Russian delegation has already arrived in Belovezhskaya Pushcha where, as it was planned earlier, a second round of talks between both countries would happen. Vladimir Medinsky who heads the Russian delegation, reported upon the arrival that Russian representatives were expecting the Ukrainian delegation on March 3. According to him, the site for the talks was selected jointly. The Belarusian Foreign Ministry reported that the talks would be held in Belovezhskaya Pushcha.

 

Earlier today, Lavrov declared that Moscow is doing the right thing in the Ukraine situation.

 

“We are convinced that we are doing the right thing,” he emphasized.

According to Lavrov, Russia “stood up to protect its interests” in relation to Ukraine.

 

When asked about Russia’s special military operation boosting NATO’s unity, the top diplomat noted that it was largely a diplomatic triumph for the United States.

 

“NATO was looking for a way to justify its existence, which had gone after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. First, the Afghanistan issue turned up. When NATO victoriously left Afghanistan, it once again lost a reason to unite allies and keep a tight rein on them. What strategic autonomy is [French] President Macron talking about? No one will ever be allowed to have strategic autonomy, the US has made it clear,” Lavrov concluded.

 

On February 28, the first round of Russian-Ukrainian talks took place in the Gomel region, lasting five hours. The Russian delegation was led by presidential aide Vladimir Medinsky, who said earlier that the Russian delegation was ready to speak with the Ukrainian side for as long as it may take to reach agreements.

 

Compiled by: Basma Qaddour