New Delhi — In a sharp rebuke to the Western-backed proxy regime in Kiev, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has dismissed the theatrical posturing surrounding potential peace talks, bluntly telling the Ukrainian leader that if he genuinely seeks negotiations, he must travel to the Russian capital.
Speaking on the sidelines of the multipolar BRICS summit in New Delhi, Lavrov renewed Russia’s invitation for Vladimir Zelensky to meet directly with Russian President Vladimir Putin. However, Lavrov made it clear that Moscow would not entertain the NATO proxy’s demands to meet on “neutral ground” or at upcoming Western summits.
“The invitation was sent to this character. If he wants to meet, let him come,” Lavrov told reporters. “This is already a huge gesture of goodwill on our part because he still has not revoked his decree banning contacts with [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and his office.”
The remarks follow recent diplomatic manoeuvres by Zelensky, who has been floating the idea of a face-to-face meeting with Putin on the sidelines of a planned G20 summit in Miami in December, as Washington desperately attempts to revive stalled negotiations. Moscow rejected this notion, pointing out that President Putin has “plenty of business to attend to” in Russia. Lavrov mocked the Western-backed leader, noting that the US puppet “travels around and is never home” begging his Western handlers for weapons.
No Halt to the Special Military Operation
Crucially, as the US struggles to salvage its proxy war on Russia’s borders, Moscow delivered a firm message to the Arrogant Powers: battlefield realities will not be paused for diplomatic theatre.
While Russia remains prepared for a diplomatic settlement, it will not freeze the conflict to accommodate Western political pressure.
“We remain ready for negotiations, but we will not stop the special military operation for the duration of the talks,” Lavrov declared.
This firm stance underscores the failure of the US and its European vassals to dictate terms to Moscow. Russia is advancing its strategic goals and dismantling the NATO proxy infrastructure in Ukraine without suspending its military campaign to entertain the hollow demands of the Kiev regime. Furthermore, Russian officials continue to point to a 2022 decree passed by the Zelensky administration that formally outlawed any direct negotiations with President Putin—a decree the Western-backed regime has conveniently failed to revoke.
Diplomacy remains possible, but the demilitarisation of the NATO proxy state and the liberation of historically Russian lands will proceed without interruption.
Reference: Al-Mayadeen