‘False and Propaganda’, Ukrainian envoy on Lavrov’s Raisina comments

Ukrainian Charge d’Affaires Ivan Konovalov described Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s remarks at the Raisina Dialogue as “false and propaganda,” and said the speech should not be delivered by the Minister. “False and Propaganda. I have nothing to say after listening to the speech. This speech shouldn’t be pronounced by the Minister,” said Ivan.

During a discussion at the Raisina Dialogue, the Russian Foreign Minister questioned why everyone was questioning Russia’s lack of initiative to negotiate but not Ukraine’s.

“Everyone is asking when Russia is ready to negotiate. Nobody asks Zelenskyy (Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy) when he’s going to negotiate. Last year, Zelenskyy signed a document making it a criminal offense to negotiate with Russia as long as Putin is present. Can you ask him what he’s doing?”, said Lavrov.

Lavrov also stated that NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg and US Vice President Joe Biden believe that a Russian strategic defeat and battlefield defeat are both existential for them.

“You saw, yesterday at the G20 ministerial, the Western friends were shouting in the microphones that Russia must, must, must stop the war. When Russia is ready to negotiate? If you are really interested in politics and in the root causes of this particular situation, then you would know why Blinken and Stoltenberg repeatedly stated that Russia must be defeated on the battlefield, Russia must suffer strategically”, said Lavrov.

Meanwhile, international political strategist Vlada Galan of Actum, US, stated that the Raisina Dialogue is an incredible event that brings together decision-makers from all over the world.

“India finds a unique position as a peacemaker. I trust India from both sides in the equation both with the US and other international key stakeholders,” said Galan.

The Raisina Dialogue is the Observer Research Foundation’s (ORF) flagship think-tank event, organized in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA).

“India has to take steps as it has an amazing position as an international peacemaker and it is much much more trusted than China. India can do much more. It’s Centre of Dialogue,” added the international political strategist.