Russia will achieve Ukraine aims 'no matter the circumstances': Lavrov

At the United Nations on Saturday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov declared that Moscow would achieve its military objectives in Ukraine, regardless of the circumstances. He assured that the aims of the special military operation would be fulfilled, the threat to Russian security would be eliminated, and peaceful life would return.

This, he emphasized, would occur "no matter the circumstances," using Moscow's phrase for the conflict. Lavrov also criticized Europe for attempting to obstruct peace talks between Russia and Ukraine, stating that the United States was interested in these talks as well. He further accused Europe of doing everything to prevent such negotiations, which piqued the interest of the Trump administration.

Lavrov reiterated his country's determination to achieve its Ukraine goals, employing the same terminology Moscow uses to describe the conflict. This came as German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas met with Lavrov for the first time since before the war, amid escalating tensions between Berlin and Moscow. Germany accused Russia of orchestrating a drone attack on Leipzig airport, leading to the closure of both countries' consulates.

Maas urged Russia to abandon its dangerous path of escalation towards Germany, Europe, and NATO. He warned that incidents like the attempted attack in Leipzig or additional hybrid assaults would not deter Germany's support for Ukraine. Lavrov last met a German foreign minister, Annalena Baerbock, in January 2022, just a month before Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The Russian Foreign Minister, Russia's longest-serving minister, recently labeled Germany as wanting another war and is known for his vehement anti-Western stance.