International-News

Moscow rejects ceasefire in Ukraine: ‘Just an excuse to rearm Kiev’

Russia rejects the possibility of a truce in Ukraine, pointing to legally binding agreements. Tensions on other international fronts as Moscow intensifies diplomatic contacts

Russia has clearly rejected any possibility of a ceasefire in Ukraine, calling it a “road that leads nowhere.” In an interview, Foreign Minister Serghei Lavrov said that a simple ceasefire would only serve to “buy time to continue flooding Ukraine with weapons.” Lavrov stressed the need for definitive, legally binding agreements that would guarantee Russia’s security, based on international law.

France has contacted Moscow through confidential channels, but Lavrov criticized Paris’ ambiguity, noting that such contacts occurred without involving Kiev.

Lavrov then referred to relations with the new Syrian government, speaking of ongoing contacts related to the security of Russian citizens and Russian military bases in Syria. However, he did not provide details on the Tartus and Kmeimim concessions, which are crucial to the Russian military presence in the region.

On the diplomatic front, Moscow is trying to define conditions for a possible summit between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. Although Switzerland has been designated as the venue, Russia no longer considers it neutral. Gulf countries such as Qatar and the United Arab Emirates seem more likely options.

Meanwhile, Russia’s FSB said it foiled attacks against senior Defense Ministry officials by arresting two Russian nationals accused of being recruited by Kiev. One of those arrested was caught trying to plant a device under an officer’s car in Moscow, admitting that he had been recruited by Ukrainian special forces.

THE LATEST NEWS