Lavrov: Russia will not halt combat operations during negotiations with Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow does not intend to pause its military operation in Ukraine during any possible peace settlement negotiations.

He made the remarks to journalists on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in New Delhi.

“We remain ready for negotiations, but we will not stop the ‘special military operation’ for the duration of the talks,” Lavrov said.

In addition, the minister commented on the invitation extended to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to visit Moscow, calling it “an enormous gesture of goodwill” on Russia’s part. According to Lavrov, the Ukrainian leader has still not lifted his ban on contacts with Russian President Vladimir Putin and his team.

Earlier, Zelensky proposed meeting with Putin at the G20 summit in Miami in December. In response, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that if Zelensky truly wants to meet with Putin, he can come to Moscow.