TASS has gathered the key remarks of the Russian foreign minister on the eve of Russia’s talks with US representatives to be held in Riyadh on February 18.
West’s role in conflict’s settlement: If European countries attempt to «bargain» for a ceasefire in order to rearm Ukraine, there is no sense in allowing them to participate in negotiations.
The West will not be able to «sit and wait under the ‘nuclear umbrella'» and will have to answer for its unlawful actions and support for the Nazi regime in Ukraine. «One must take responsibility for one’s actions, as the Bible says.» The US has been playing a leading role in the Ukrainian crisis since its very start and now «may contribute to the settlement.»
Ukrainian military’s atrocities: The Ukrainian army «acts even worse than Hitler’s murderers.» The world should «look at the atrocities they commit on the territories.»
Idea of territorial concessions: The topic of territorial compromises to what is called Ukraine now were made heard in the USA: «They have been debating territorial concessions indeed. <...> Our president [Vladimir Putin] is calling for this too.»
Discussions about «compromises» on Ukraine resemble a «scientific debate,» Lavrov said. «Do you wait for a mere idea about ceding some territories to appear at talks on resolving the conflict? How should they be ceded: with Russian people or without them? With rare-earth metals only?». Kiev may use «territorial concessions» to carry out massacres.
Upcoming talks between Russia-US in Riyadh: Russian Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that Lavrov and Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov were on their way to the Saudi capital for talks with US officials on restoring Russian-US relations across the board, as well as preparations for possible talks on resolving the Ukraine conflict and for the countries’ leaders’ meeting.
According to the CNN news agency, the American delegation will be represented by US President Donald Trump’s national security adviser Mike Waltz, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and special envoy for the Middle East Steve Whitkoff.
