Lavrov States Under What Conditions Russia Will Recognize Ukraine's Independence

Russia unequivocally recognizes Ukraine's independence, but Moscow opposes Kyiv's actions aimed at erasing everything related to Russian identity. This was stated by Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

“Undoubtedly, we recognize Ukraine's independence. However, we never envisioned that the people residing in the areas you mentioned, who are now enshrined in our Constitution, would be considered second-class citizens,” the diplomat emphasized.

According to Lavrov, the situation in Ukraine sharply worsened after the events of February 2014, when, as he claims, the coup leaders came to power as a result of an “illegal and bloody coup” organized with U.S. support.

He added that Moscow is ready to recognize Ukraine's statehood, but only if the country significantly differs from its current state with its “openly Nazi” regime.