Talk of Peacekeeping Troops in Ukraine is Empty Talk: Lavrov
Russian FM Sergey Lavrov, Feb. 26, 2025. X/ @cheguwera
February 26, 2025 Hour: 8:32 am
‘It is important to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, which are not due to the absence of peacekeeping troops,’ he said.
On Wednesday, Russian Foreign Affairs Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized the proposals to deploy Western troops in Ukraine.
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“Talks about deploying certain peacekeeping troops are empty words,” he said, accusing the European Union of wanting to further escalate the war in Ukraine and opposing a peaceful solution.
“The approach promoted by the EU, especially by France and England, aims to keep fueling the conflict and stop any attempt to calm it,” Lavrov stated.
The Russian minister alluded to statements by U.S. President Donald Trump, suggesting that Russia might accept peacekeeping troops in Ukraine. He emphasized that no one had consulted Moscow on the matter and that Russia strongly opposes such a measure.
Regarding the meeting between Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron, Lavrov called France’s proposal—to deploy peacekeeping troops in Ukraine and only later discuss the territorial issue—”deceptive,” arguing that Moscow cannot accept an agreement “whose sole purpose is to rearm Ukraine.”
“It is important to eliminate the root causes of the conflict, which are not due to the absence of peacekeeping troops, but rather Ukraine’s attraction to NATO, aimed at developing its territory to create a military infrastructure directed against Russia and undermining the rights of Russians and Russian speakers,” he added.
For the Russian minister, the issue goes beyond Russia’s current territorial claims, as “whatever remains of Ukraine must also be freed from racist laws.”
teleSUR/ JF
Source: EFE
