Russia war with Ukraine not ending anytime soon – Minister

Post created on 12:13 pm

The foreign minister of Russia has said the country is not looking forward to ending its war in Ukraine by Victory Day on May 9, which is set aside to mark the key anniversary amidst the ongoing conflicts.

Sergei Lavrov, speaking with the Italian outlet Mediaset, the minister insisted Moscow would not rush to wrap up its “special military operation” in time for the anniversary, which celebrates Nazi Germany’s surrender to allied forces, including the then Soviet Union, in 1945.

“Our military will not artificially adjust their actions to any date, including Victory Day,” Lavrov said in the interview released on Sunday.

“The pace of the operation in Ukraine depends, first of all, on the need to minimise any risks for the civilian population and Russian military personnel,” he added.

But this year’s celebrations would come against the backdrop of Moscow’s bloody military campaign in Ukraine, which Putin had justified with claims that the ex-Soviet country required “denazification” and other allusions to World War II.

“We will solemnly celebrate May 9, as we always do. Remember those who fell for the liberation of Russia and other republics of the former USSR, for the liberation of Europe from the Nazi plague,” Lavrov said.