Russian Foreign Minister "Ready to Resume Negotiations, but Ukraine and the West Do Not Want It"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Sergey Lavrov, Russia's Foreign Minister, shifted the blame regarding the resumption of Black Sea grain exports, stating that Russia is ready to resume negotiations with Ukraine, but Ukraine and the West are refusing. This comes amid growing controversy after the Russian military struck Ukraine's Odesa port shortly after an agreement to resume grain exports, seemingly overturning the international accord, prompting Lavrov to offer an active explanation.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 24th (local time), during a press conference while visiting Egypt, Foreign Minister Lavrov said, "Regarding the issues between the grain export resumption agreement and other aspects of the Ukraine situation, we are not opposed to resuming negotiations. However, the Ukrainian authorities keep saying there will be no negotiations until Russia is defeated, and the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, and European Union (EU) member states are siding with Ukraine's claims," he criticized.

Lavrov warned, "The choice is theirs. But the more they keep demanding that Ukraine continue fighting until its final victory, the more people will die, and the current situation will last much longer, which benefits neither Ukraine nor the Ukrainian people."

This statement is interpreted as an active defense following the controversy over the Russian military's airstrike on Odesa, a major export port in Ukraine, shortly after the agreement to resume Black Sea grain exports. It is known that the Russian military launched two cruise missiles at Odesa just one day after the four-party talks involving Ukraine, Russia, the United Nations, and T?rkiye (Turkey) were concluded.

Meanwhile, Lavrov is reported to plan a tour of African countries including Ethiopia, Uganda, and Congo following his visit to Egypt. This is analyzed as a response to the worsening food crisis in Africa caused by the blockade of Black Sea grain exports and the growing backlash from these countries.