Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Iran: IRNA: Attack Wave 21 was not carried out, and the operation carried out minutes ago was from Yemen against targets in the occupied territories
Sirens are sounding in Tel Aviv and surrounding areas
Israeli military command: We identified missiles launched from Iran
Tunis: The legitimacy created by World War II is crumbling and the future belongs to free peoples of the world
Tunis: We emphasize that the aggression against Iran should not obscure other ongoing crimes, the first of which is the war of extermination against the Palestinian people
Tunis: International legitimacy does not permit or justify aggression against Iran under any cover or title
Tunisia: Foreign Ministry: We call for an end to the aggression against our sister country, Iran, and we do not limit ourselves to condemning the Zionist and American attacks
Iran: Nur News: An Israeli aerial assault is targeting the region of Parchin, east Tehran
Iran: Iranian TV: Iranian air defenses shot down an Israeli Hermes 900 drone over Markazi Province, central Iran
Nour News, citing Iranian Armed Forces: 20th wave of Operation Truthful Promise 3 successfully targeted three of the Israeli enemy's strategic centers.

Lavrov says US aims to prolong war in Ukraine, discusses Syria & more

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Sputnik
  • 29 Dec 2024 13:12
  • 1 Shares
5 Min Read

In an exclusive interview with Sputnik, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discusses the Ukraine crisis, military presence in Syria, and Russia's relations with the US and Iran.

Listen
  • x
  • Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gestures as he speaks at the Doha Forum in Doha, Qatar, on December 7, 2024. (AP)
    Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gestures as he speaks at the Doha Forum in Doha, Qatar, on December 7, 2024. (AP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is open to negotiations on resolving the Ukraine crisis, emphasizing that talks must address the root causes and reflect the realities "on the ground."

In an exclusive interview with Sputnik, Lavrov stated that both the outgoing and incoming US administrations possess the means to initiate negotiations between Moscow and Kiev, exposing how Washington does not actually intend to end the war. 

"If Washington really wanted to end the conflict, it would have stopped supplying weapons to Kiev, demanded that their satellites do the same, and ordered their Kiev puppets to cease fire, resume the negotiation process without any conditions," he told Sputnik. 

He also mentioned that Russia's approaches to resolving the conflict were previously defined by President Vladimir Putin on multiple occasions, highlighting that Moscow's main objectives are the "demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine, ensuring its non-aligned, neutral and nuclear-weapon-free status, and eliminating long-term threats to Russia's security emanating from the West, including the expansion of NATO."

Moreover, Ukraine must ensure the rights and freedom of Russian-speaking citizens, as well as acknowledge Russia's territorial realities. 

Lavrov stated that discussions in Kiev and the West about a ceasefire in Ukraine aim to buy time to bolster the Ukrainian Armed Forces for renewed conflict, implying that the recent F-16 fighter jet provisions from Denmark to Ukraine were further proof of recent escalations, prompting counter-measures from Russia. 

On Syria and ties with Iran

The top Russian diplomat also discussed the matter of Russian military presence in Syria, particularly in light of the domestic developments, most notably the fall of the Assad regime. 

According to Lavrov, Moscow has not been informed of any plans by Syria's new authorities to revise agreements on Russian military bases. He emphasized that no requests regarding this matter have been received from Damascus.

Lavrov acknowledged Syria's sovereignty and right to amend agreements but noted that the declared "transitional period" until March 1, 2025, likely explains the lack of action, adding that while changes in Syria's leadership and situation may influence the Russian military presence, any adjustments would require negotiations with the new Syrian leadership.

Related News

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

Hezbollah condemns Damascus church terrorist bombing

Moreover, the situation in Syria does not impact the comprehensive agreement established between Russia and Iran, the foreign minister affirmed, adding that it was ready to be signed and officiated.

He described the agreement as comprehensive, long-term, and adaptable to all circumstances, requiring no amendments despite the change in Syrian leadership. Lavrov highlighted that the agreement reflects significant progress in bilateral relations and elevates them to the level of a strategic partnership.

Russia, NATO, and the US

Lavrov also warned that the US and NATO would face decisive military-technical countermeasures if they create new missile threats against Russia, emphasizing the country's readiness for any scenario and the importance of reducing conflict. 

While arms control could be discussed, Lavrov stressed it would only be part of a broader agenda. He noted that Russia's moratorium on deploying intermediate-range missiles is nearing its end due to US actions but remains in force for now.

Lavrov additionally criticized the US for deploying such weapons globally, prompting Russia to prepare proportional responses, stressing the successful testing of the Oreshnik system as evidence of Russia's capabilities.

Moreover, Russia remains committed to maintaining predictability in the missile and nuclear sphere despite strained relations with the US. He denounced the US' underestimation of strategic stability and declared that no arms control negotiations would occur unless Washington abandons its "anti-Russian" policies.

Lavrov noted that Russia continues to voluntarily adhere to measures such as the quantitative limits of the New START treaty and a unilateral moratorium on deploying ground-based medium- and shorter-range missiles. He reiterated that while Russia is taking steps to ensure stability, dialogue with the US on arms control is currently off the table.

Russia's nuclear strategy

In a related context, Lavrov stressed that Russia's nuclear supply fully adheres to the charters of the New START treaty, even when its effectiveness was suspended. However, the restrictions outlined by the treaty could be rendered "meaningless" to Russia based on the US' actions. 

He told Sputnik it is too early to speculate about the period following the expiration of the New START treaty in February 2026, emphasizing that much could change within a year, further noting that Russia continues to comply with the treaty's quantitative limits despite its suspension.

Earlier this week, Arms Control Association (ACA) Executive Director Daryl Kimball told RIA Novosti that US President-elect Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin might discuss options for mutual nuclear restrictions during their upcoming interaction.

According to Kimball, neither leader has presented a plan regarding Russia's strategic arsenal, but discussions regarding Ukraine are expected to take place during the presidents' upcoming interaction, while discussions for nuclear restrictions could potentially arise, particularly after the expiration of New START. 

The ACA chief further stressed the importance of establishing nuclear constraints, adding that "While trust may be at an all-time low, that is all the more reason for the two sides to avoid unconstrained strategic nuclear competition now or in the future."

  • Syria
  • United States
  • Nato
  • Sergey Lavrov
  • Russia
  • Ukraine
  • Vladimir Putin
  • Iran
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

Iran launches 9th wave of Op. True Promise 3, destroys IOF air defense

  • MENA
  • 17 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council Ali Shamkhani, speaks with then-Syrian Prime Minister Imad Khamis in a meeting in Tehran, Iran, Tuesday, January 17, 2017 (AP)
Politics

Iran holds the initiative after nuclear strikes, Shamkhani says

Blood stains a religious painting inside Mar Elias Church, where a suicide bomber detonated himself in al-Dwela, on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 22, 2025 (AP)
Politics

UN, regional governments condemn Damascus church bombing

A B-2 bomber arrives at Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri, Sunday, June 22, 2025, after returning from a massive strike on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday (AP)
Politics

Israeli media: US-Israeli strike on Iran failed to end war

China UN Ambassador Fu Cong addresses the United Nations Security Council, Monday, March 24, 2025. (AP Photo/Richard Drew)
Politics

China slam US strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS