Lavrov Criticizes Zelenskyy's Peace Formula, Emphasizes Western Influence

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov dismissed Ukrainian President Zelenskyy's peace formula, claiming it lacked sincerity and was pressured by the West. Lavrov also highlighted the roles of India and Brazil in conflict resolution and condemned recent Ukrainian actions in Russian territories.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has asserted that Moscow never took Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's peace formula seriously, suggesting that the West's endorsement of it indicates a lack of genuine intent to seek a fair agreement. Lavrov criticized the formula as an ultimatum, aiming to weaken Russia.

Speaking at the 7th Russia-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) Ministerial Meeting in Riyadh, Lavrov commended India and Brazil's efforts to mediate the ongoing conflict. He referred to Ukrainian attacks in the Kursk region as terrorist actions and defended Russia's stance on the matter.

Lavrov accused the West of attempting to engineer a strategic defeat for Russia and maintained that the resolution of the conflict must consider the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine. He praised China's global security initiative and reinforced the need to address fundamental causes of conflicts.

(With inputs from agencies.)