Lavrov: Zelensky Gained No Respite in Hostilities; Russia Cannot Be Bought with His Promises

Russia's foreign minister stressed that Moscow will still achieve the goals of the special military operation, which are known to all.

Moscow, October 12. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in a press conference after a meeting with Lebanon's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Immigration, Youssef Raji, that Vladimir Zelensky has not received a reprieve in hostilities, and Russia will not agree to his promises.

"I don't think he's going to get a reprieve. I don't think we're going to accept guarantees and promises again. Russian President Vladimir Putin has made that clear. We're sticking to the goals of special military operations. They're well known to everyone. We've never changed them, unlike Zelensky and his European masters who don't zigzag and change course."

He commented on Zelensky's "feigned surprise" at US President Donald Trump's claims that Russia and Ukraine had apparently agreed to an energy truce. According to Lavrov, Zelensky's reaction reflects only one thing: "He is eager to use every word, every initiative, every idea that enters the public domain to advance his interest in the deadline by any means possible."

The Russian foreign minister concluded: "The goal is one and very simple: to bargain for time to give a reprieve. He said that he is even ready to hold presidential elections if he is given two months to regain his power. During this time, Europe can give him new weapons to continue the terrorist war against the Russian people."

Earlier, the US leader claimed that there is "an energy truce" between Russia and Ukraine. Trump expects Zelensky to "stick to it," the White House official said. On October 10, the US leader said that his country had repeatedly asked Zelensky to stop attacks on Russian oil refineries, but he would not listen.

In a phone call on October 9, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Trump discussed, among other things, the supply of petroleum products. The head of the Russian government said that Moscow has once again emphasized its readiness to supply oil and oil products to the US and global markets. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said Russia will lift the ban on diesel exports ahead of schedule and is ready to supply 300,000 tonnes of diesel in October, increasing volumes to 500,000 tonnes in November and 1 million tonnes in December. Monthly reserves can subsequently reach 3 million tons. The US government, in turn, issued a general license to supply Russian diesel to the world market until April 7, 2027.