Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused the United States and NATO of “direct” participation in the war in Ukraine on Thursday, but said Moscow was still open to talks.
At an annual news conference from Moscow, the foreign minister began his comments by defending Russia’s missile barrage on civilian targets such as Ukraine’s energy sector and attempted to claim it was a defense tactic to stop Western weapons .
“We deactivate the energy structures [in Ukraine] that allow you [the West] pump lethal weapons into Ukraine to kill Russians,” Lavrov said, according to a Reuters translation.
The US Air Force Staff Sergeant. Cody Brown, right, with the 436th Aerial Port Squadron, checks pallets of 155mm shells bound for Ukraine, April 29, 2022, at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware.
(AP Photo/Alex Brandon, Files)
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“So don’t say the US and NATO are not participating in this war – you are participating directly,” he continued. “Included not only with the supply of weapons, but also with the training of personnel – the [Ukrainian] military on your territory”.
Lavrov was referring to international efforts to train Ukrainian servicemen in NATO tactics in nations such as Britain, Germany and Italy – comments that were made after reports emerged this week suggesting Washington could expand its training of Ukrainian soldiers. at US bases in Germany.
Russia has been accused by NATO of using winter as a “weapon of war” by forcing Ukrainian citizens to endure increasingly harsh conditions without electricity, heat or running water as the cold months arrive.
Ukrainian troops ride a repaired Russian tank in a wooded area outside the city on Sept. 26, 2022, in Kharkiv, Ukraine.
(Paula Bronstein/Getty Images)
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The West further said that Moscow is targeting civilian populations as a way of trying to force Kiev to capitulate as Russian forces have suffered significant casualties on the front lines.
It’s unclear what the general sense is in Russia when it comes to Moscow’s deadly war on Ukraine, though cities across Russia have canceled Christmas and New Year celebrations in recognition of the costly war.
Western estimates regarding the toll the war has taken on Russian troops suggest they have seen at least 80,000 casualties since the war began in February.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has said he will not engage in peace talks until Russia fully withdraws all troops from Ukraine.
Shrinking relations between Russia and the West remains a major geopolitical concern, particularly after Moscow withdrew from scheduled talks with Washington this week over the nuclear New START Treaty.
Seated next to South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol, left, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov listens during the Australia-New Zealand ASEAN trade hub in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, November 13, 2022.
(AP Photo/Heng Sinith, Files)
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Lavrov on Thursday suggested Russia remain open to talks with the United States and NATO member nations, but said it was “naive” of the United States to think it would engage in nuclear talks at this time.
“We’re not hearing any meaningful ideas right now,” he said. “If there are proposals from the president [Biden] and other members of his administration, we will never shy away from contact.”
