Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov believes that Ukraine is now showing an “understanding of reality” regarding the future of the Crimean peninsula and the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine.
–
Lavrov said this at a press conference during his visit to India on Friday.
“Russia sees a much greater understanding from the Ukrainian side of the situation in the Donbas and Crimea,” he said Tass.
– The negotiations continue without any final plans or agreements, Lavrov says and is clear that there is a good basis for continuing.
– There is movement in the negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv, including consideration of Ukraine’s non-bloc status, the foreign minister continues.
– There is progress when it comes to seeing that it is impossible for Ukraine to be a bloc country, that it is impossible for them to seek happiness in NATO.
– Fair
Lavrov, who has previously been critical of the Ukrainian position in the negotiations, now also says:
– The Ukrainian side demonstrates an understanding of reality on the Donbas and Crimea in the negotiations.
Lavrov will hold talks with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Foreign Minister S. Jaishankar in New Delhi.
Sergei Lavrov also touches on Vladimir Putin’s demand that Europe pay for Russian gas in rubles – and not other currencies.
– The payment scheme proposed by Russia is fair, the foreign minister believes.
Putin signed a decree on Thursday night stating that buyers of Russian gas must settle for rubles. Presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Friday that there will be no immediate halt to gas supplies, as buyers have a full month to pay, reports RIA.
The United States warns
The United States on Thursday warned India against relying on Russia as an oil supplier and guarantor in the event of an attack from China.
India is among the countries that have not condemned the Russian invasion, and the Indian government has made it clear that the country will continue to buy oil, weapons and military equipment from Russia. Joe Biden’s adviser Daleep Singh clearly expressed the United States’ dissatisfaction with India’s cooperation with Russia.
Russia’s chief negotiator with Ukraine, Vladimir Medinsky, also spoke on Friday. According to Meduza, he says:
– Our opinion on Crimea and Donbass is unchanged.
–
