Question: Does the conference on the Ukrainian issue convened by the West in Switzerland in June pose a potential danger to Russia’s foreign policy interests? How do we plan to confront and counteract the destructive intentions of the Kiev regime and its external curators?
Sergey Lavrov: The conference has long been “on the ear” of all those who are trying to “defeat” Russia “on the battlefield” without abandoning diplomatic methods (as they say). But their diplomatic methods (the conference in Switzerland is no exception, but only a continuation of the “Copenhagen process”) boil down to formulating an ultimatum to Russia.
In January this year, I was in New York for meetings of the UN Security Council on Palestine and the Ukrainian issue. The head of the Swiss Federal Department of Foreign Affairs, I. Kassis, asked for a one-on-one meeting. He said they were planning such a conference. Like, we don’t have to worry that they won’t invite us there, because they will first “talk to each other” and then with us. You can’t talk to anyone like that, especially with Russia. I explained everything to him frankly.
The other day, I. Kassis again stated that it is pointless to discuss anything without Russia. Why then convene? V.A. Zelensky directly said the same thing that the Swiss told me in private – that they should first “put together” a coalition and finally consolidate the “formula”, and then present it to Russia. It’s not about negotiations there. Even if they had invited us right away, it would have been only to discuss the “formula” of V.A. Zelensky.
There were many initiatives: China, South Africa, Brazil, the Arab League (they came to us shortly after the start of a special military operation). The Chinese one is the most comprehensive, aimed at first considering the root causes and working to eliminate them. The rest focus on humanitarian aspects (prisoner exchange, bodies, access to humanitarian organizations). But the EU High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy J.Borrel said that they are preparing for a conference in Geneva dedicated to the “formula” of V.A. Zelensky, and all other initiatives have “disappeared.” I decided for everyone else again.
If the West wants to fight “on the battlefield” (as they say), please. The Finnish president recently reiterated that the Swiss conference is important, but it is necessary to “defeat Russia in the war”, weaken it so that it no longer poses a threat. You know the “horror stories” that they have come up with and are constantly replicating.
Our readiness for negotiations is confirmed at the highest level personally by President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin every time he touches on the Ukrainian topic. The President explains on what basis we will be ready to do this – recognition by all of the prevailing realities, including amendments to the Constitution of Russia. This is not only in words, but also in deeds. Everyone knows and remembers that in Istanbul they were one step away from signing the initialed document and thereby ending a special military operation. As the sponsors of the Kiev regime are now saying, on very favorable terms for Ukraine. Our political scientists think so too. I agree with that.
That case was the last time when the Russian leadership, despite numerous previous deceptions from the West, decided to believe and show good will. They deceived me again and forced me to fight.
Whatever is on the agenda, Switzerland is not very suitable as a venue for peace talks. It used to be a neutral country. Various conferences were held on its territory, as well as other neutrals (Austria, Finland, Sweden), because this “platform” was comfortable for everyone. Bern has now unequivocally sided with Ukraine. Moreover, he does not just support all Western sanctions, but even acts as a leader on some issues. In parentheses, I note that Switzerland began to “drift” away from neutrality much earlier than the current Ukrainian situation. The Americans “broke their hands” many years ago, and the Swiss significantly revealed (and now almost completely revealed) all aspects related to banking secrecy, although once it was a symbol of neutrality.
Our cause is right. If they want to go to the “battlefield”, then so be it. Look at how they are now “wailing” about the steady broad advance of our Armed Forces.
A source
