**Lavrov: We Are Not Interested in Kyiv’s Peace Proposal Supported by the West**
As talks about the need to revive peace negotiations between Russia and Ukraine resurface amidst the ongoing two-and-a-half-year war, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that his country is not interested in Kyiv’s peace proposal backed by the West.
In a press conference held in Riyadh on Monday, Lavrov stated that the West continues to pursue the strategic defeat of Russia and is not seeking a peaceful resolution to the Ukrainian crisis.
**”China’s Plan”**
Lavrov further clarified that Russia does not oppose China’s peace plan, but stressed that Russia does not take Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s initiative seriously because, in his view, the West is not aiming for a fair agreement.
He also praised the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries’ stance on the Ukraine crisis, noting that the West, led by the United States, exerts control over international organizations.
Lavrov pointed out that the West is attempting to undermine globalization and is using the dollar as a weapon.
**Israel’s Obstruction**
On the Israeli war in Gaza, Lavrov stated that Israel has ignored U.S. President Joe Biden’s initiative and is creating obstacles to Egypt and Qatar’s rational proposals.
He warned that some parties are seeking to ignite a broader regional war in the Middle East and called for an immediate ceasefire in Gaza and the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Lavrov also stressed that Russia has urged both Fatah and Hamas to unite and set aside their differences.
**”Strategic Dialogue”**
Participants in the strategic dialogue meeting between Russia and the GCC discussed international efforts to resolve the Ukrainian crisis, according to a statement from the Saudi Foreign Ministry on Monday.
Lavrov arrived in Riyadh on September 8 to participate in the GCC session. On the sidelines of the event, he held several bilateral meetings, including with Saudi Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman Al Saud, and Foreign Minister Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud. He also met with the foreign ministers of India and Brazil, Subrahmanyam Jaishankar and Mauro Vieira, who were in Riyadh for separate meetings with GCC ministers.
It is worth noting that Kyiv has repeatedly offered to negotiate with Moscow, provided that Russian forces withdraw from all territories they have occupied since February 2022, including Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. This demand has been rejected by Moscow, which views Western support for Ukraine as a threat to its strategic security.
Additionally, the Kremlin has opposed Ukraine’s accession to NATO and the European Union, accusing both organizations of expanding into Russia’s sphere of influence.
By/radwa sherif ✏️✏️📚