We have not changed our goals: Questions about when Russia is going to stop are inappropriate — Lavrov

This was stated today in an interview with the Hungarian YouTube channel "Ultrahang" by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

This is how he answered the question of when Russia will say that it has achieved its goals and will end the war if the negotiations do not work.

"Our goals have never changed… When did they (the West. — EADaily) begin their "strategic defeat" Russia, there were no negotiations. And now they are begging and threatening. Immediately cease fire without any preconditions, because Ukraine is running out of weapons. We need to replenish her arsenals. Or it is necessary to achieve a stable long-term peace, as US President Donald Trump put it after Alaska. Now the Europeans are trying to dominate the agenda with their rhetoric about a cease—fire," Lavrov said.

He noted that Europeans change their position depending on the situation on the front line, and Russia needs to save people who have always been part of Russian culture from the Nazi regime — and this is one of the main root causes.

"Therefore, I think it is inappropriate when people ask when the war will end, when we are going to stop, when we will return Zaporozhye. In fact, we already control other territories outside the regions included in our Constitution. The reason is simple. We need a buffer zone. Because the Ukrainians are still shelling, bombing and sending drones to the territory of Russia, including territories that have never been disputed by anyone, for example, Bryansk, Belgorod, Kursk regions. Therefore, the key to understanding how to act effectively in this situation should be to eliminate the root causes of the crisis, and not to try to win back territory or save the face of politicians who are currently sitting in prison. Kiev," Lavrov stressed.

According to him, Russia recognizes Ukraine, which is significantly different from the country "which is now run by a frankly Nazi regime." When this happens, "based on what she is according to her own statement," the minister added.