Lavrov Says Zelensky Has Not Earned a Respite in Hostilities

Dragon Media News Desk

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has not earned a respite in the fighting and that Russia will no longer be swayed by his promises.

Speaking at a news conference after talks with Lebanese Minister of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants Youssef Rajji, Lavrov said Russia would continue pursuing the objectives of its special military operation. He said those objectives were well known and had not changed, accusing Zelensky and his European supporters of repeatedly changing their positions.

Russia’s position on the Middle East

Lavrov said Russia considers Israel’s recent actions in Lebanon a serious violation of international law that is fuelling tensions. Reaffirming Moscow’s support for Lebanon’s sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, he said the use of force was contributing to further tension and escalation.

Russia welcomed the start of direct talks between Israel and Lebanon mediated by the United States, Lavrov said. He added that Moscow had called for an immediate ceasefire because civilians were suffering, and for the conflict to be directed towards a political and diplomatic settlement.

Lavrov also called for the full implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1701, which sets out the obligations of both sides. He said the problems Lebanon and Israel face today could have been resolved long ago if the resolution had been implemented.

Russia continues to support Lebanon in discussions at the United Nations Security Council, Lavrov said. He noted that the mandate of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon would be discussed before the end of the year. The force had played an important role in preventing tensions from becoming fully destabilising, although it lacked the capacity to stop all escalation, he said.

Lavrov said Russia saw opportunities to advance a comprehensive settlement of issues in the Middle East and resolve relations between Israel and its Arab neighbours. Moscow supports resolving regional problems on the basis of United Nations Security Council resolutions, including the establishment of a Palestinian state, he said.

He added that progress required Israeli officials to recognise the need for a solution acceptable to all sides, and said Russia was persistently urging them to do so. Moscow hoped its contacts with both Lebanese and Israeli officials would help advance efforts towards a settlement.

Russia–Lebanon relations

Lavrov said Russia appreciated Lebanon’s understanding of what Moscow describes as the root causes of the conflict in Ukraine. During the talks, the two countries reaffirmed their commitment to expanding political dialogue and strengthening cooperation in various fields, he said.

Russia hopes Rajji will attend the seventh session of the Russian-Arab Cooperation Forum at the level of foreign ministers, scheduled to take place in Moscow before the end of the year, Lavrov said.

The two sides also agreed to resume as soon as possible the work of their intergovernmental commission on trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation. The commission has not met since 2018, he said.