Lavrov says Russia remains ready for Ukraine talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow remains ready to negotiate a lasting settlement to the Ukraine conflict, while insisting that Russia will not halt its military operation during negotiations.

Addressing the United Nations Security Council in New York on September 23, Lavrov said the conflict could have been avoided if the 2015 Minsk agreements had been implemented. He argued that the agreements, which were reaffirmed in Paris in 2019, could have allowed Ukraine to retain its 1991 borders, apart from Crimea.

Lavrov said Russia had also proposed negotiations in December 2021 aimed at addressing the security concerns of Russia and European and North American countries. According to the Russian foreign minister, those proposals were rejected by NATO and the administration of then-US President Joe Biden.

He claimed that Moscow believed preparations were underway for Ukrainian forces to retake areas of Donbass by force. Lavrov said Russia subsequently launched its military operation in February 2022.

According to Lavrov, Ukraine requested negotiations shortly after the operation began, and Russia agreed to talks. Several rounds of negotiations were later held in Belarus and Istanbul.

Lavrov said Ukrainian negotiators had presented key principles for a possible settlement during those talks. He claimed the proposals included Ukraine maintaining a neutral status, recognition of the situation on the ground and collective security guarantees intended to prevent a renewed conflict.

The Russian foreign minister said the document was initialled by representatives of both sides but was never formally turned into a treaty. He argued that its implementation would have allowed Ukraine to retain its 1991 borders, excluding Crimea and parts of Donbass.

Lavrov reiterated that Russia is prepared to negotiate what he described as a lasting and just peace. He referred to Russian President Vladimir Putin’s June 2024 address, saying Moscow had already outlined the conditions it considers necessary for a settlement.

However, Lavrov said Russia would not agree to suspend its military operation simply to facilitate negotiations. He accused European countries of seeking a temporary pause to replenish Ukraine’s military supplies, while alleging that Kyiv had adopted increasingly aggressive methods during the conflict.

During his address, Lavrov also raised questions about territorial integrity and self-determination under international law. He referred to the UN Declaration on Principles of International Law concerning Friendly Relations and Cooperation among States.

Lavrov said the principles of sovereignty and territorial integrity should be considered alongside the principle of equal rights and self-determination of peoples. He questioned whether Ukraine’s current government could be considered representative of people in Crimea, Donbass and other territories claimed by Russia.

The Russian foreign minister also referred to Greenland while criticizing what he described as inconsistent approaches to territorial issues. He said the issue raised questions about how similar matters could be addressed under international law.

Lavrov concluded by calling for greater consistency in statements made by UN Secretariat officials. He said Moscow expected future UN leadership to ensure that official positions remained aligned with international law.