(Reuters) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, in an interview published on Friday, expressed his opinion that Ukraine’s proposed peace plan was futile. He believes that the plan is based on unacceptable principles, such as the demand for Moscow to withdraw from areas it has seized.
In an interview with the Moscow daily Izvestia, Lavrov stated that a proposed peace summit would not be successful unless its fundamental principles were revised, including allowing Russia to take part in the discussions.
“We are willing to engage in discussions, but not under the conditions set out in (Ukrainian President Volodymyr) Zelenskiy’s ‘peace formula’,” Lavrov told the newspaper.
Lavrov criticized the plan’s clauses, which require Russia to vacate territories it has occupied, such as Crimea, which was annexed in 2014, and the restoration of Ukraine’s borders from 1991. It also calls for a mechanism to hold Russia accountable for its invasion in February 2022.
Zelenskiy has rejected any negotiations with Moscow unless they are based on the peace plan.
Lavrov mentioned that he had discussions with Swiss officials and diplomats who assured him that an upcoming peace summit hosted by Bern would involve Russian participation and be conducted on a pragmatic basis.
He explained that Swiss officials indicated to him that “we understand that nothing can be resolved without you, and that is unfair.” Once the plan is transformed into a “collective product,” Russia would be invited to participate.
Lavrov also criticized U.S. proposals to discuss arms deals separately from the Ukraine conflict, deeming them nonsensical.
“It is absurd and does not reflect positively on those in the Washington Administration handling foreign affairs,” he told Izvestia. “Ultimately, it shows that foreign policy in the United States is being managed by individuals who lack diplomatic skills.”
(Reporting by Ronald Popeski; editing by Miral Fahmy)
