Lavrov ruled out territorial concessions to Ukraine

The head of Russian diplomacy also does not understand why European countries should participate in negotiations on Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that he will soon travel to Saudi Arabia for talks with US representatives on a settlement to the war in Ukraine. He ruled out territorial concessions to Ukraine, Lavrov told Russian media on Monday, February 17.

According to him, territorial concessions to Ukraine during the negotiations "cannot be discussed" and accused the Ukrainian side of "atrocities."

"Look at what "atrocities" they are committing in the territories, and you want even some kind of opinion to be present at the negotiations on the settlement that some territories still need to be conceded? To concede how, with Russian people or without people, with only rare earth metals?" he said, but did not announce the list of "atrocities."

Speaking about expectations from future negotiations with the US, Lavrov stated that "we first of all want to listen to them."

"We will listen to our American interlocutors. And, of course, we will be ready to react. Then we will report to our leaders, who will decide on further steps," he noted.

At the same time, the head of Russian diplomacy does not understand why European countries should participate in negotiations on Ukraine. He accused the Europeans of allegedly breaking agreements back in 2014 during the Euromaidan and failing to implement the Minsk agreements, and now of providing armed support to Ukraine.

"So the philosophy of the Europeans has not disappeared. Therefore, I don't know what they should do at the negotiating table," Lavrov said.