Lavrov on Ukraine Situation, Negotiations, and Russian Assets — Key Statements

TASHKENT, September 15 — Sputnik. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed his views on the situation around Ukraine, negotiations, the Anchorage agreements, frozen Russian assets, and international courts during a diplomatic discussion at the embassy. ## Key Statements Russia has never refused negotiations regarding Ukraine and is ready to resume them if the opposing side is willing.

According to the minister, there are issues to be discussed in Moscow. Lavrov noted that if the U.S. and Europe had not deviated from the approaches discussed in Anchorage, military actions could have ceased a year ago.

He emphasized that Russia accepted the proposals put forth by the American side. Russia maintains its demands for its security, the non-appearance of NATO near its borders, and the protection of the rights of Russian-speaking populations. ## Important Details and Information At the same time, the minister stated that Moscow is ready to search for "reasonable compromises" in this context.

Lavrov referred to the West's legal actions against Russia as a "legal war invented by the Anglo-Saxons." According to him, the main goal in such an approach is for the accusations to be loud: "First, you have to crow like a rooster; whether it dawns or not is of little interest to them." Lavrov reported that scenarios are being developed in the West for the deployment of foreign forces in areas that will remain under the control of the Ukrainian government.

Moscow has expressed its opposition to such a variant.

The minister noted that schemes are being devised to use frozen Russian assets for the interests of Ukraine. He stated that Belgium is rejecting such a step, thus efforts are being made to distribute responsibility across the entire European Union. "We will achieve the return of our gold and foreign exchange reserves.

I have no doubt about this," Lavrov said. Lavrov described the International Criminal Court as a "quasi-judicial body" and stated that its "connection to fair justice is minimal," being under the control of Western patrons.

In his opinion, it is also unnecessary to create an alternative structure for such a global criminal institution, as international criminal courts do little to help resolve conflicts. Russia is awaiting a decision from the UN International Court regarding its counterclaim on the issue of genocide in Donbass.

According to Lavrov, the matter that needs to be examined in court now is whether Ukraine itself committed genocide in Donbass. ## Important Details and Information He reported that Russia has provided relevant evidence to the court. According to Lavrov, if the conflict is frozen, Russian-speaking populations will remain in areas controlled by Kyiv.

He stated that their education in the Russian language and the preservation of Russian culture must be ensured, and these people should not remain "fodder for Zelensky and his team." Lavrov also criticized the mobilization methods in Ukraine, drawing attention to cases of people being detained on the streets and sent to military service. In his opinion, the circle of mobilization may later expand to include women.

Lavrov called Zelensky's statement regarding the use of drones against civilian aviation in Russian airspace an "open terrorist threat" and noted that this demonstrates the "criminal essence" of the Kyiv regime. The diplomat added that Russia is interested in ending the conflict in Ukraine and appreciates the efforts of states that are striving to assist in this.