Contrary to previous statements, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (72) has stated that Russia is aiming to overthrow the Ukrainian government. “We are definitely helping the Ukrainian people to free themselves from the regime that is absolutely hostile to the people and history,” Lavrov said in Cairo on Sunday. The Russian and Ukrainian people would henceforth live together.
In the past few days, the Russian leadership has publicly tightened its position on the Ukraine war. On Wednesday, Lavrov threatened to occupy other areas outside of the Donbass. In view of the western supply of arms and their longer range, it is necessary to further push the Kiev troops away from the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in eastern Ukraine, which Moscow has recognized as independent.
Selenski counters
The Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky (44) immediately responded to these heightened threats from the Russians. Maintaining national unity is the most important task for Ukrainians to win the war and become a member of the EU. “Preserving unity now, working together for victory, is the most important national task that we have to master together,” said Selenski in his daily video address on Sunday.
Zelenskiy’s speech was a response to Lavrov’s tightening of course, which he wanted to overthrow in Kyiv. “Only those who don’t know the true story and don’t feel its importance might choose to attack us,” Zelensky replied. Ukrainians have been oppressed for centuries and will never give up their independence, the Ukrainian president assured.
If the Ukrainians can do this, they will succeed in what generations before had failed to do. To preserve independence from Russia, to transform itself into one of the most modern countries in the world and at the same time to go its own way towards Europe, which, according to Zelenskiy, will end with full membership of the EU.
Change of course in Moscow
German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock (41) accused Russia of propaganda. «Russia uses a different argument every time. This time they say it’s because of the military support,” said the Greens politician in an interview with Deutsche Welle published on Thursday.
The Kremlin’s war aims are for Ukraine to cede the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and to recognize Crimea, which Russia had already annexed in 2014, as Russian.
With his announcement that he wants to change the political leadership in Kyiv, Lavrov also contradicts his own statements from April. “We do not intend to change the regime in Ukraine,” the Russian chief diplomat said in an interview with India Today television at the time. It was up to the Ukrainians to decide under which leadership they wanted to live, Lavrov assured at the time. (kes/SDA)