Statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a conversation with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio about Russia’s intention to continue strikes on Kyiv are “a spit in the face of diplomacy and a brazen provocation demonstrating Russia’s contempt for peace efforts,” requiring a strong international response.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha made the remarks to journalists on the sidelines of the forum “Ukraine–Africa. Past, Present and Future of Relations,” according to an Ukrinform correspondent.
“I view this [Lavrov’s statements to the U.S. secretary of state about Russia’s intention to continue strikes on Kyiv] as a brazen provocation. This is yet another public confirmation of Russia’s interest in continuing the war. Lavrov allows himself to publicly disclose the course of the conversation, where he essentially confirms threats of attacks on Kyiv. It is very difficult for me to comprehend how such things can even be allowed,” Sybiha said.
He stressed that this once again demonstrates who is truly interested in prolonging and escalating the war.
“We very much hope that after receiving such signals, our partners – instead of simply taking this information into account, issuing recommendations to their citizens, or advising their representatives to leave Kyiv – will send a firm and tough signal to Moscow not to carry out such strikes,” the Foreign Minister noted.
