Russia Does Not Plan to Occupy Ukraine, Lavrov Says

The Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Russia does not plan to occupy Ukraine. This information was reported by RIA Novosti, adding that Lavrov made this announcement during a press conference in Moscow.

“No one is planning to occupy Ukraine. The purpose of the operation has been clearly stated: it is demilitarization and denazification,” Lavrov said.

It is noteworthy that on the early morning of February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had made a decision regarding a special military operation against Ukraine, as the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics had requested assistance. In a televised address to the Russian people, he stated that circumstances demand decisive and immediate action.

Later, the Russian Ministry of Defense emphasized that Russia's armed forces are not striking Ukrainian cities with any missiles, aviation, or artillery. High-precision tools are being used to disable military infrastructure, air defense sites, military airfields, and aviation. The Ministry assured that there is no threat to the civilian population.