Russia will not stop fighting in Ukraine if negotiations begin - Lavrov

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry stated that Moscow considers it necessary to "move the line", from which strokes may be struck in the Russian Federation. Kharkiv plays in this "not the last role," Lavrov says. Russia will not pause in hostilities in the event of negotiations on Ukraine. Moreover, Moscow is convinced of the need to continue the so -called "its" in Ukraine.

This was stated by the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov in an interview with Russian radio stations Sputnik, "Komsomolskaya Pravda" and "Moscow" on Friday, April 18. According to him, after the failure of attempts to "agree" with Kiev as part of the Istanbul format, when Ukrainian diplomats refused to continue the dialogue, Moscow strengthened in the intention of continuing the "military operation".

Answering questions about negotiations with Ukraine Lavrov replied that "there is no faith in them. " "Russia will no longer pause in hostilities in the event of negotiations on Ukraine," the minister said. He added that Switzerland from a neutral country has become a "frank hostile", so it is not suitable for Russia as a platform for negotiations. "Returning to the negotiations, just wanted to emphasize this interesting moment. They (event - ed.

) Cannot understand that if we are put in a situation where we just need to win strategically, destroy, in essence, as a global player, they are They cannot understand that we would not be scared. " In addition, Moscow is convinced of the need to move the front line and Kharkiv, according to Lavrov, plays "not the last role". "Putin said it very clearly, answering the question:" How to make it to protect our lands? "Putin said," Well we need to push the line from which they can beat us.

"I understand that Kharkiv is playing here Not the last role. We will remind, on April 12, Alexander Lukashenko stated that the Russian Federation may not sign a "peace" treaty with Ukraine after May 20, 2024 because the term of the presidential cadence of Vladimir Zelensky will expire. The Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk stressed that Zelensky will remain a legitimate head of state after May 20.