Ukraine's foreign minister describes Lavrov-Rubio call as "arrogance towards the world's most powerful country"

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has described remarks made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov during a conversation with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio about plans to attack Kyiv as a "brazen provocation" and as proof of Russia's intention to continue the war.

Source: Sybiha speaking to journalists on the sidelines of the Ukraine-Africa: Past, Present and Future of Relations forum on 26 May, as quoted by Interfax-Ukraine

Quote: "I view this as a brazen provocation. It is yet another public confirmation of Russia's interest in continuing the war. Lavrov allows himself to publicly disclose the course of the conversation, in which he confirms that he is threatening Kyiv with attacks. For me, it is very difficult to comprehend how something like this can even be allowed.

We very much hope that after receiving such signals, our partners, instead of simply accepting this information and issuing recommendations to their citizens and heads of diplomatic missions to leave Kyiv, will send a firm and harsh signal to Moscow not to carry out such strikes."

Details: Sybiha stressed that this conversation has once again demonstrated who is truly interested in prolonging the war and escalating the situation.

He added that he hopes there will be a tough reaction from Ukraine's partners and emphasised that "signals should not come from Moscow, but be directed to Moscow".

"How brazen it is to directly inform the leading country, the most powerful country in the world, that you disregard its peace efforts, ignore the entire peace process and will strike Kyiv," the minister said.

According to Sybiha, Russia must understand the repercussions of what he called its "irresponsible behaviour" regarding peace efforts.

He added that these are the messages Ukraine is conveying to its partners and that the response should include additional aid packages for the Ukrainians.

Background:

• Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on 25 May and "officially informed" the Americans that the Russian forces are beginning "systematic strikes on facilities in Kyiv" that Russia claims are being used by the Ukrainian military.
• On 25 May, the Russian Foreign Ministry claimed that Russian forces are beginning "systematic continuous strikes" against Ukrainian defence industry companies and "decision-making centres" in Kyiv. Moscow also urged foreign nationals, including diplomatic staff and employees of international organisations, to "leave Kyiv as soon as possible".
• Ukraine's foreign ministry said Russia's threats of new strikes on Kyiv are aimed at intimidating Western diplomats, but stressed that Ukraine does not expect this blackmail to succeed.

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