The Russian side at the meeting of the CIS Council of Foreign Ministers informed its partners in detail about the situation around Russia's special military operation in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Friday at a press conference following the CIS Ministerial Council meeting in Dushanbe.
"Not without, of course, talking about the negative consequences that have absolutely unacceptable actions of the West in connection with what is happening in Ukraine, in connection with our special military operation. We spoke in detail about the state of affairs," he pointed out.
On Ukraine's non-aligned status
Lavrov said that Ukraine, despite the public statements of the country's leadership, in its contacts with Russia notes its readiness to acquire a non-aligned and neutral status.
"Indeed, our Ukrainian colleagues are publicly stating that they are ready to acquire non-aligned status, non-nuclear status contrary to what President [Vladimir] Zelensky mentioned at the Munich conference in January that it was a mistake to give up nuclear weapons. Nevertheless, they are now ready to declare neutral, non-aligned status if they receive guarantees outside NATO and outside other military-political blocs," he said.
On Ukraine's desire to join the EU
The minister said that the innocuousness of Ukraine's desire to join the European Union is questionable.
"They [Ukraine] are trying in every way to emphasize their desire to become members of the European Union. [Ukrainian Foreign Minister] Dmytro Kuleba said here that the EU is obliged to answer 'yes' or 'no' right today. <...> But the most important thing is that this is a problem of relations between Kiev and the European Union. But the innocuousness of such a wish of Kiev raises serious doubts. It really is, considering that the European Union has transformed from a constructive and economic platform, as it was created, into an aggressive belligerent player," he said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic world"
Photo: Russian Foreign Ministry
Based on materials from TASS