Russian FM Sergei Lavrov slams EU and UN leadership over Ukraine peace stance

Russia’s foreign minister Sergei Lavrov told ambassadors that European Union demands, such as halting combat before Russia occupies the entire Donbas, reveal “doubts about the mental abilities of European leaders.” He also accused the United Nations Secretariat, headed by António Guterres, of being run by “deplorable personalities.”

Lavrov blamed Ukraine for stalling negotiations on ending President Vladimir Putin’s war, calling the territories under Ukrainian army control “illegally held.” He reiterated Russia’s demand for territorial concessions in exchange for peace, dismissed Western mediation, and alleged that Ukraine is being armed with money stolen from Russia. During the meeting he received Ecuadorian diplomat María Espinosa, who is seeking Moscow’s support for a new UN secretary‑general candidate.