Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov: 'Russia has not lost Ukraine'

The relationship between Russia and Ukraine is indivisible. For centuries, the two countries have been bound together by historical, economic, geographical, cultural, and civilizational values, and above all, by a familial relationship.

Russian Foreign Minister affirms the "indivisible" relationship between Russia and Ukraine.

According to Tass, citing an interview with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on the "Sunday Afternoon" program on the "Russia" television channel, he said: "I don't agree that we have lost Ukraine. Perhaps the Americans need this conclusion to consolidate their leading position in the world..."

According to the Russian Foreign Minister, no force can divide the traditional relationship between Russia and Ukraine.

"That's impossible. For centuries, the two countries have been bound together by historical, economic, geographical, cultural and civilizational values, and above all, by a family relationship," Lavrov said.

“I am confident that this tragic period in Ukrainian history will eventually pass, that the Ukrainian people will want to restore the agreement to unify all regions of Ukraine on the basis of compromise and a balance of interests… In such a Ukrainian state, the attitude towards Russia will be better,” the Russian Foreign Minister emphasized, adding: “Most importantly, it is national unity that matters.”

According to Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, “the Minsk negotiation process has resumed, not simply for a ceasefire, withdrawal of heavy weapons, and resolution of serious humanitarian problems in the southeast, but also for economic recovery, restoration of destroyed infrastructure, and resumption of social services interrupted after President Poroshenko signed the decree on the economic and financial blockade in Donbass.”

“The statement by the leaders of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics is conducive to the start of joint talks,” Lavrov said, adding: “In the current context, it is necessary to find immediate solutions to alleviate the difficulties of the people in the Donbass region, and then in the near future, begin discussions on economic issues, on the restoration of power relations, trade relations, and the recovery of social payments.”

Ukraine needs at least 6 years to join NATO.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov emphasized that Ukraine's idea of ​​joining NATO is dangerous not only for the Ukrainian people, but also for European security.

“I don’t really understand why, yes, they so quickly passed the law abolishing non-aligned status, allowing Kyiv to join NATO. However, to achieve that goal, with Ukraine’s current state system, law enforcement system, and military organization, it would take Kyiv at least six years. It couldn’t be sooner,” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said, while accusing Western countries of maintaining the current tension to maintain the Ukraine-Russia relationship.

"We need to be wary of such intentions. There is no doubt that some Western countries want to perpetuate the crisis in Ukraine, thereby escalating the confrontation between Russia and Ukraine," Lavrov emphasized.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov also stated that Russia is doing more than any other country to resolve the situation in Ukraine.

“We are speaking very frankly. When people say that we are the cause of the war, and that we are the aggressors. If that's the case, why should we accept the influx of Ukrainian refugees into the Rostov region and other regions of the Russian Federation?” Lavrov said.

"I affirm that Russia can ensure that the dialogues initiated by the parties surrounding the Ukrainian crisis will reach a concrete agreement on the rules of full respect for human rights, language, culture, traditions and history in a unified Ukrainian state," said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

According to Tien Phong