Zelensky thinks about nothing except his own ‘survival’ – Lavrov to RT

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Vladimir Zelensky of focusing solely on his own survival and said the Ukrainian leader is not interested in peace.

Lavrov made the remarks on Wednesday during an exclusive interview with RT’s Rick Sanchez, ahead of Diplomats Day, and while Russian, Ukrainian, and US delegations held a second round of peace negotiations in the UAE.

Lavrov told Sanchez that he had spoken with the Russian delegation to the talks regarding NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte’s statements about deploying troops to Ukraine once the conflict with Russia ends.

Moscow maintains that sending in Western military units would only escalate the conflict, and could lead to a direct confrontation between Russia and NATO. Russia has long warned that it would treat any NATO soldiers sent to Ukraine as legitimate targets for strikes.

“I don’t know what our delegation in Abu Dhabi will be offered,” Lavrov said, adding that if this is what the Ukrainians brought to conference, “I think this is just another reason to believe that Zelensky needs no peace.” 

Pointing to Zelensky’s remarks that Ukraine might make compromises if Russia also agreed to concessions, Lavrov said any peace agreement would mean an end to Zelensky’s political career, “probably not only his political career,” he added.

“I think conscience and Zelensky don’t go together well. He thinks about nothing, I think, except his own survival,” Lavrov said.

Moscow remains willing to pursue a diplomatic solution, but Kiev continues to issue new demands and challenges, Lavrov added. He accused European nations of repeatedly “moving the goalposts” and said Russia has consistently maintained its terms throughout the negotiations.

Territorial matters remain the “main question” of the negotiations, according to Moscow.

The full interview with Lavrov will air on Thursday at 17:30 Moscow Time.