Lavrov urged the West to ask Zelensky for a “formula” on the situation of the Russians

Western countries need to ask Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for a “formula” on how Kyiv sees the situation of Russians and other national minorities in the country. About it declared Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

Lavrov stressed that Moscow appreciates any efforts to achieve a “just and sustainable peace”, but this is impossible without respect for the rights of national minorities. According to the minister, Western countries are imposing the “Zelensky formula” on the global South, but no one “has said a word” about Kyiv’s position to “destroy everything Russian” in Crimea and Donbass.

“Why don’t the Western impresario ask him to publicly present to the world community another “formula” about how the current Kiev sees the situation of Russians and other national minorities in their country after the “victory”, for which NATO and the EU do not spare money and weapons?” – Lavrov noted in a comment to the International Affairs magazine, published on the ministry’s website.

According to Lavrov, Moscow was convinced at the Russia-Africa summit that the countries of the global South are interested in a comprehensive understanding of the nature of the crisis, and this explanation would help them form a position. The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted that Western countries are convening staged forums, although the only goal of the “Zelensky formula” is to “capitulate” Russia so that it leaves “millions of Russians” to the mercy of fate.

“Everyone who is courted by the West in order to push through the “Zelensky formula” must be aware that the fate of these people, whom the Kiev regime openly promises to destroy, is at stake,” Lavrov stressed.

Kiev is expected to promote Zelensky’s “peace formula”, which includes 10 points, including the restoration of Ukraine’s borders as of 1991, the withdrawal of Russian troops from new regions and Crimea, etc., at a meeting in Saudi Jeddah on a peace settlement conflict in Ukraine on August 5–6.

At the end of December 2022, Lavrov called Zelensky’s “peace formula” illusory. Based on it, Russia will not negotiate with anyone, he noted.

The topic of a peaceful settlement in Ukraine rose within the framework of the second Russia-Africa summit in St. Petersburg, following which Russian President Vladimir Putin and the heads of seven African states adopted a joint statement. The document said the leaders acknowledged the progress made on issues related to children’s rights in war zones and prisoner exchanges between Russia and Ukraine. The parties also agreed that humanitarian efforts will continue to produce further results.