Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, has said the full restoration of rights to Russian speakers in Ukraine is a central condition for a “long-term settlement” of the conflict.
Moscow has regularly accused Kyiv of systematic discrimination against Ukraine’s Russian minority and Russian-speaking Ukrainians. Allegations of language discrimination and ‘Russophobia’ have been used as primary justifications for Moscow’s 2022 invasion of its neighbor.
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Lavrov repeated those accusations on Saturday in a video address posted to social media to mark Russian Language Day.
“Among our absolute priorities are the protection and support of those for whom Russian is their native language,” Lavrov said. “We will continue to firmly oppose any manifestations of language discrimination and Russophobia-wherever they occur.”
Singling out Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia would “certainly achieve” the restoration of rights to Russian speakers, whom he claimed have been targeted by Ukrainians.
“Resolving this issue is among the necessary conditions for a long-term settlement of the Ukrainian conflict,” Lavrov said.
Peace efforts
On Friday, Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected an offer of face-to-face talks with his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
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The snub followed publication of an open letter by Zelenskyy offering to discuss peace with Putin after earlier US-led initiatives had failed to achieve any breakthroughs.
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