Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that Moscow would not allow Russian-speakers in Ukraine to remain under the rule of what he called a “junta” led by President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
Lavrov said it would be a “crime” for Russia to allow this to happen. He added that the simplest way to settle the conflict would be for the international community to demand that Ukraine cancel laws discriminating against Russian-speakers.
Kyiv denies any such discrimination.
Lavrov’s comments highlighted Russia’s insistence, in any peace talks, on enforcing the same demands it made at the very start of the war.
Lavrov also questioned the suggestion that Russia-Ukraine talks could take place in the Vatican.
He argued that it would not be “an elegant solution” for two Orthodox countries to talk in a Catholic location, Reuters just reported.
“It would be a bit inelegant for Orthodox countries to discuss on Catholic ground issues related to eliminating root causes [of the conflict)]” Lavrov said, quoted by AFP.
He also accused Kyiv of “destroying” the Ukrainian Orthodox Church and added: “For the Vatican itself it would not be very comfortable to, in these circumstances, host delegations from Orthodox countries.”
Trump says Russia, Ukraine completed ‘major’ prisoners swap
US president Donald Trump meanwhile revealed that “a major prisoners swap was just completed between Russia and Ukraine.”
“It will go into effect shortly. Congratulations to both sides on this negotiation,” he said.
Via AFP /Reuters
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