Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov (72) has said contrary to earlier reports that Russia’s intention is to overthrow the government of Ukraine. “We are certainly helping the Ukrainian people to free themselves from a regime that is completely hostile to the people and history,” Lavrov said in Cairo on Sunday. Russian and Ukrainian people will live together.
In the past few days, the Russian leadership has publicly tightened its stance on the war in Ukraine. On Wednesday, Lavrov threatened to invade other areas outside the Donbass. Given Western arms supplies and their long distances, it is necessary to further push Kiev troops away from Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine, which Moscow has recognized as independent.
Selensky counters
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (44) immediately responded to these heightened threats from the Russians. Maintaining national unity is the most important task for Ukrainians to win the war and join the European Union. “Preserving unity now, working together for victory, is the most important national task we must do together,” Zelenskiy said in his daily video address on Sunday.
Zelensky’s speech was a response to Lavrov’s hard line, which he wanted to overthrow in Kiev. “Only those who do not know the true story and do not realize its importance can choose to attack us,” replied Zelensky. Ukrainians have been oppressed for centuries, and the Ukrainian president promised that they would never give up their freedom.
If Ukrainians can do this, they will succeed in what previous generations failed to do. To preserve its independence from Russia, transform itself into one of the most modern countries in the world, and at the same time go its own way towards Europe, which, according to Zelensky, will end with full membership of the European Union.
Certainly change in Moscow
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbach (41) accused Russia of propaganda. “Russia uses a different argument every time. This time they say it’s because of military support,” the Green Party politician said in an interview with Deutsche Welle published on Thursday.
The Kremlin’s war aims are to have Ukraine cede Donetsk and Luhansk regions and recognize Crimea as Russia, which Russia already annexed in 2014.
Lavrov also contradicts his own statements from April when he announced that he wanted to change the political leadership in Kiev. “We have no intention of regime change in Ukraine,” the Russian ambassador told India Today TV. Lavrov then promised that Ukrainians should decide under which leadership they want to live. (CAS/SDA)
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