"Good will has limits": Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov sees a "real danger" of a third world war

Created: 04/26/2022, 07:35

The Ukraine war continues in full force, as the Russian foreign minister warns of a third world war.

Negotiations with Kyiv would be slowed down.

Moscow - A possible third world war: In connection with the escalating Ukraine conflict, this fear comes up again and again.

NATO does not want to become a direct war party in the conflict.

But fears are also being voiced by the currently heatedly discussed topic of arms deliveries.

Now, current statements by the Russian Foreign Minister are making people sit up and take notice.

Because Sergey Lavrov thinks it is possible that the Ukraine war could degenerate into a world war.

"The danger is serious, it is real, it should not be underestimated," he said, according to the Interfax news agency on Monday (April 25).

At the same time, he explained that he did not want the risks to be artificially inflated any further in such a situation.

There are many sides that want that, he said, without being specific.

The inadmissibility of a nuclear war remains the principle position of Russia.

Lavrov wants to continue Ukraine negotiations, but: "Goodwill has limits"

He also accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of only "faking" his willingness to negotiate.

Russia will continue negotiations with the Ukrainian delegation, Lavrov said.

At the same time, he emphasized: "Good will has its limits." If it is not based on "reciprocity", "this does not help the negotiation process".

Referring to a possible agreement to end the conflict in Ukraine, Lavrov said the "framework" of such an agreement would depend on the "state of the fighting" that will have taken place by the time the "agreement becomes a reality".

Sergei Lavrov, Foreign Minister of Russia (archive image) © Alexander Zemlianichenko/dpa

Ukraine-News: Russia's Foreign Minister Lavrov is angry about alleged delays in negotiations

Lavrov in turn accused the United States and Great Britain of slowing down the Ukraine negotiations.

It is known for certain that "neither London nor Washington" would advise Zelenskyy to speed up negotiations, the Russian foreign minister said in an interview with a Russian TV channel, which the foreign ministry shared on Telegram on Monday evening.

"They always advise Zelenskyy to tighten his position."

Lavrov claimed that Kyiv was delaying negotiations.

Recently, for example, the Ukrainian side stated that they had not yet had time to deal with the latest Russian proposal.

There was no information from Kyiv.

Lavrov also stated that Ukraine's positions were predetermined from abroad.

"Many of us are convinced that the real position of Ukraine will be determined in Washington, London and other western capitals."

Therefore, "our political analysts say why talk to Zelenskyy's team, you have to talk to the Americans, negotiate with them, reach some kind of agreement."

The Russian side has repeatedly questioned Ukraine's independence and right to exist.

Lavrov: NATO arms deliveries are legitimate targets - "How could it be otherwise"

Meanwhile, the US government considered a Ukrainian victory in the two-month war to be possible.

"They can win if they have the right equipment and the right support," US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Monday after a visit to Kyiv.

On Tuesday he wants to speak to defense ministers and military chiefs from 40 allied countries at the Ramstein US military base in Rhineland-Palatinate about further arms deliveries to Ukraine.

Russia regards NATO arms deliveries as legitimate targets for its country.

"Of course, these weapons will be a legitimate target for Russian forces," Lavrov also said in the interview.

Camps, including those in western Ukraine, have become such targets more than once.

"How could it be otherwise," Lavrov said.

"If NATO de facto goes to war with Russia via a deputy and arms this deputy, then you do in war what you have to do in war."