Ukraine, Lavrov: ‘Kiev's neutrality is a fundamental condition’

Rome, 28 May (LaPresse) – ‘The return of Ukraine to a neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status is one of the conditions set by the Russian Federation for the resolution of the conflict’. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. "I would like to remind you that Ukraine's neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status was solemnly proclaimed in the country's declaration of independence, adopted in 1991. It was this commitment, it was the proclamation of a neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status forever, that made it possible for Ukraine to be recognised as an independent state by both the Russian Federation and all other members of the international community," Lavrov added, as quoted by Interfax. Lavrov noted that a return to this promise, which Kiev ‘has sought to violate and has even enshrined the obligation to violate non-nuclear status in its Constitution, a return to this obligation is one of Russia's key demands that must be met within the framework of any agreement, as envisaged in April 2022 during the Istanbul talks.’