Lavrov says Russia remains open to Ukraine peace talks

NEW YORK: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Moscow remains ready to negotiate a lasting settlement to the Ukraine conflict, while stressing that Russia does not intend to halt its military operation during negotiations.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council in New York on September 23, Lavrov argued that the 2015 Minsk agreements, which were reaffirmed in Paris in 2019, could have resulted in Ukraine retaining most of its pre-2014 territory, apart from Crimea. These comments reflect the Russian government’s account of the failed peace process.

Lavrov also referred to Russia’s proposals from December 2021, saying Moscow had sought an agreement based on what it described as mutual security interests involving Russia, Europe and North America. He claimed the proposals were rejected by NATO and the administration of then-US President Joe Biden.

According to Lavrov, Russia subsequently launched its full-scale military operation in February 2022 after concluding that preparations were underway for a Ukrainian offensive in Donbas. Ukraine and its Western allies have disputed Moscow’s justification for the invasion.

The Russian foreign minister said Ukraine requested negotiations shortly after the start of the conflict. He pointed to talks held in Belarus and Istanbul, claiming that Ukrainian and Russian negotiators had discussed principles including Ukrainian neutrality, recognition of the situation on the ground and security guarantees.

Lavrov said the draft understanding was initialled by both delegations but was never turned into a final treaty. He argued that implementation of the proposed settlement would have left Ukraine with its 1991 borders excluding Crimea and parts of Donbas.

He said Russian President Vladimir Putin had repeatedly expressed readiness for negotiations aimed at what Moscow considers a lasting and just peace. However, Lavrov stressed that Russia would not agree to suspend its military operation simply to create a pause during negotiations.

Lavrov also criticised European governments, accusing them of seeking a temporary halt that would allow Ukraine to rebuild its military capabilities. These are Moscow’s stated claims and were not independently established in his remarks.

Turning to broader territorial issues, Lavrov questioned what he described as differing approaches to sovereignty and territorial integrity. He cited the UN Declaration on Friendly Relations between States and argued that the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity should be considered alongside the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples.

He further claimed that Ukraine’s current government does not represent people in Crimea, Donbas and other territories claimed by Russia. Kyiv rejects Russia’s territorial claims and continues to regard those areas as Ukrainian territory.