“Foreign countries dictate positions” Russia: West slows negotiations
04/26/2022 04:21
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov is convinced that Western Ukraine is defining its negotiating positions and delaying negotiations. According to analysts, negotiations must therefore actually take place with the Americans.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States and the United Kingdom of slowing down negotiations with Ukraine. It is known for certain that “neither London nor Washington” would advise Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to speed up negotiations, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with a Russian TV channel shared by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on telegram. “They always advise Zelensky to tighten his position.”
Lavrov claimed that Kiev was delaying negotiations. Recently, for example, the Ukrainian side claimed that it had not yet had time to deal with the latest Russian proposal. There was no information from Kiev.
Lavrov also claimed that Ukraine’s positions were predetermined abroad. “Many of us are convinced that Ukraine’s real position will be determined in Washington, London and other western capitals.” That’s why “our political analysts say why talk to Zelenskyy’s team, you have to talk to the Americans, negotiate with them, come to some kind of agreement.” The Russian side has repeatedly questioned Ukraine’s independence and right to exist.
Preventing Ukraine from joining NATO and maintaining neutral status is one of the main goals of Russia’s war of aggression against the neighboring state. Zelenskyy was ready to talk about neutral status for the country and security guarantees from third countries. So far, however, there are no tangible results in the negotiations between Ukraine and Russia.