The “liberation” of Donbas remains an unconditional priority for Moscow. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in an interview with French media, while he clarified that other Ukrainian regions must decide for themselves about their future.SERGEI LAVROV
RUSSIAN FOREIGN MINISTER
“The liberation of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, recognized by the Russian Federation as independent states, is an unconditional priority. This is not an annexation. This is a military operation demanded by the eastern republics. As for other cities I do not believe they will be happy to be in the authority of a neo-Nazi regime that has proven to be essentially Russophobic. “These people have to decide for themselves.”
Referring to the slow advance of the “special operation”, Lavrov explained that this is because Russian forces have been ordered not to hit civilian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, bombings in eastern Ukraine are ongoing, causing power shortages. The interruption of supply has caused the blockage of 115 underground miners. The news was announced by the governor of Donetsk, as he underlined that the rescue process is very difficult as a result of the fighting.
On the other hand, European Union leaders will meet today to reach an agreement on a new package of sanctions against Russia, including the imposition of restrictions on Russian oil imports. But what remains troubling is the blockage of wheat exports. Russian media report that the grains that are currently in Kherson, a city in Ukraine controlled by the Russians, will be sent to Russia.
