Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow will not suspend military operations in Ukraine while negotiations are pursued, arguing that a temporary ceasefire would allow Kiev and its Western supporters to rebuild Ukraine’s military strength.
Speaking at the UN Security Council on Wednesday, Lavrov rejected a joint demand from Ukraine and 51 supporting countries for an “immediate and unconditional ceasefire” ahead of peace negotiations. The statement was backed by countries including EU members, the UK, Canada and Australia.
“We are not going to have a pause in our special military operation,” Lavrov told the council. He accused European governments of seeking a break in hostilities so they could use the time to “pump the Kiev regime with weapons.”
Lavrov also accused Ukraine of “clearly and blatantly using terrorist methods,” pointing to long-range Ukrainian strikes inside Russian territory.
The ceasefire appeal came days after Ukrainian forces carried out its the largest drone assault yet directed at Moscow. Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said more than 1,600 drones approached the Russian capital from multiple directions. Russian authorities said two civilians were killed in the surrounding region and that an oil refinery, residential properties and other infrastructure were damaged.
Moscow maintains that military operations should end only as part of a broader settlement addressing the underlying causes of the conflict.
Russia, meanwhile, has intensified missile and drone attacks against Ukrainian military and dual-use infrastructure as retaliation for Ukraine’s campaign of long-range attacks inside Russia.
Following the latest Moscow drone attack, the Russian Defense Ministry said its forces would further “intensify its high-accuracy strikes against military targets in Kiev” in response.
