New York (TDI): Addressing the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted that neither Kyiv nor its European backers are serious about negotiating what Moscow considers a “just peace deal” to end the war in Ukraine.
Lavrov delivered this message while voicing broader grievances about international norms, alleged discrimination against Russian speakers, and what he described as an increasingly hostile posture from the West.
Lavrov began by evoking the legacy of World War II, calling it “the most terrible war in human history” and honoring those who fought alongside Moscow against Nazism.
He said that the principles enshrined in the UN Charter – equality, sovereign rights, human rights, remain “a bright beacon” for global order. Yet, according to Lavrov, those very principles are being abandoned when it comes to Ukraine.
He accused Kyiv and its European allies of lacking any willingness to negotiate in good faith, claiming that Europe is instead obsessed with “the utopian goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia.”
He condemned what he called double standards in how rights of language and human rights are applied; saying the Russian language is banned in Ukraine, while insisting that Russia is willing to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, provided the rights of Russians and Russian-speaking people in regions under Kyiv’s control are fully restored.
Lavrov rejected Zelenskyy’s 10‑point peace plan promoted earlier by Ukraine and its allies as “not realistic” and “completely unfeasible,” saying it does not address what Russia considers “new territorial realities.”
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He repeated Moscow’s demand for Ukraine to adopt neutrality, for Russia’s control over Crimea and occupied regions to be recognized, and for sanctions to be lifted.
Russia’s position drew sharp criticism from Kyiv, which has long rejected negotiations that would force it to cede territory or compromise its sovereignty.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, speaking at earlier UN assemblies, has repeatedly called on world leaders to insist on a “real, just peace”—one that would restore Ukraine’s borders and hold Russia accountable for war crimes.
European leaders have pushed for the same. They argue that any peace deal lacking participation from Ukraine and Europe cannot bring lasting stability.
EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas has warned that leaving Europe out of negotiations would undermine any agreement’s effectiveness.
Russia’s President Putin did not address the UN General Assembly, due to arrest warrants against him issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC).
Observers also compared the absence of Putin yet complete freedom granted to Israeli PM Netanyahu, who also has similar ICC arrest warrants issued against him, yet addressed the UNGA.
Sohail Majeed
Sohail Majeed is a Special Correspondent at The Diplomatic Insight. He has twelve plus years of experience in journalism & reporting. He covers International Affairs, Diplomacy, UN, Sports, Climate Change, Economy, Technology, and Health.
