Moscow-Sana
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that any arms shipment entering Ukraine from abroad would be a legitimate target for Russia, stressing that his country would not surrender to Western sanctions imposed against it.
In a televised statement today, Lavrov denied his country's use of mercenaries in the special military operation in Ukraine, noting that "Russia does not threaten anyone with nuclear war and does not manipulate this issue."
Commenting on the possibility of concluding the Russian military operation in Ukraine by the Victory Day on May 9, Lavrov said that "the operation will end after achieving its goals."
On the negotiations between Russia and Ukraine between Lavrov, they stumbled due to the Ukrainian position, and he suggested that this was caused by “Kyiv receiving instructions from Washington, London and other capitals,” noting that his country does not oppose providing security guarantees to Ukraine, but it is necessary to specify the territories that will be covered by the guarantees.
The Russian Foreign Minister stressed that Moscow will not succumb to Western pressure over Ukraine, will not ask for “forgiveness” from anyone, and will not surrender under sanctions.
Lavrov pointed out that Western sanctions against Russia have caused a food crisis in the world, as the sanctions have destroyed the supply chain and dozens of ships are trapped in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov near the coast of Ukraine due to the imposition of sanctions on them.
Lavrov indicated that most of Russia's partners have moved to the new mechanism for paying for gas announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin against the backdrop of Western sanctions against Russian banks and companies, which depend on making payments in Russian rubles through a special bank account.
