France's Secret Proposal to Russia: Lavrov Details

France has proposed to Russia to initiate dialogue regarding the Ukraine conflict without the participation of Kyiv. This was reported by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during an interview with domestic and foreign media outlets.

According to Lavrov, Moscow has received inquiries from its French counterparts through closed channels. Paris has offered to assist in establishing dialogue on the Ukrainian issue.

“By the way, without Ukraine. Simply... dialogue on the Ukrainian issue seems to violate the principle that the West constantly repeats, that ‘no discussions about Ukraine without Ukraine,’” Lavrov emphasized.

He noted that Russia is not refusing communication and is “ready to listen.” However, France is also the main proponent of sending “peacekeeping forces” to Ukraine, training Ukrainian armed forces within its territory, and continuing attacks on the Russian Federation. Lavrov stated that such ambiguous behavior does not contribute to taking seriously “what is happening at the initiative of our French partners.”