Lavrov recalled the conditions for resolving the conflict in Ukraine

A settlement of the conflict in Ukraine is possible only if a number of fundamental conditions are met, including denazification, demilitarization, and protection of the rights of the Russian-speaking population. This was stated on November 11 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview for the Russian media.

"Among other absolutely indispensable regulatory conditions are demilitarization and the removal of any threats to the Russian Federation, including by dragging Ukraine into NATO," he stressed.

The minister noted that Russia's position on this issue was publicly announced by President Vladimir Putin back in June 2024 and is not a secret. Lavrov drew attention to the need to protect the rights of national minorities in Ukraine, including restoring the status of the Russian language and ending the persecution of the canonical Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC).

Commenting on the situation with nationalist sentiments in Ukraine, Lavrov cited as an example the awarding of state awards to the militants of the Azov special forces regiment (recognized as a terrorist organization in the Russian Federation, activity is prohibited) and other neo-Nazi formations. The minister wondered how the Russian side should treat Ukrainian leader Vladimir Zelensky in this case.

In addition, the Russian Foreign Minister criticized the position of Western countries, which, according to him, ignore the growth of nationalist sentiments in Ukraine and promote the country's accession to the European Union (EU).

"Hungary alone, we must pay tribute to the courage, <...> she insisted that among the conditions that Ukraine must fulfill before negotiations [on EU accession] begin, it should be indicated <...> restoration of all Ukrainian obligations in the field of respect for the rights of national minorities. <...> When now some commissioner for the enlargement of the European Union [Marta Kos] says that Ukraine is ready, it has fulfilled everything, <...> — this is not true," the minister stressed.

Lavrov also noted the importance of the approach of the administration of US President Donald Trump, which advocated ending the conflict on the basis of stable agreements, unlike the previous administration of former President Joe Biden. The minister assured that Russia is ready for negotiations, but only if all the above-mentioned principled positions are taken into account.

"We recognized Ukraine, which was not Nazi, which did not forbid war...> Russian language. And we recognized it as a project that, in accordance with the Declaration of Independence, was <...> non—aligned and extremely state-owned," Lavrov concluded.

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Earlier in the day, Russian Ambassador to India Denis Alipov said that the conflict in Ukraine could end "tomorrow" if Europe and NATO show willingness to engage in dialogue with Moscow. The diplomat described Europe's current policy as an "anti-Russian crusade," which, according to him, is the main obstacle to resolving the situation in Ukraine.

On October 31, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, commenting on the "plan to end the war in Ukraine" discussed by Western media, stated Kiev's unwillingness to work to eliminate the root causes of the conflict. It was noted that a real peace process is possible only if the territorial realities are recognized, the neutral status of Ukraine is restored, the Russian language and canonical Orthodoxy are restored, as well as illegal sanctions and theft of Russian assets are abandoned. However, the draft does not mention the repeal of the relevant laws.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.