Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned that allowing millions of Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine to remain under the control of what he called the “Kiev junta” would constitute “a major crime.” His comments come amid ongoing tensions surrounding language rights, political legitimacy, and negotiations to end the Ukraine conflict.
Speaking at a policy forum in Moscow on Friday, Lavrov criticized the Ukrainian government for effectively banning the Russian language, which remains the native tongue for a large portion of the Ukrainian population.
“We cannot leave people under the rule of the regime that is currently there,” Lavrov said. “This cannot be allowed under any circumstances.”
Lavrov accused the Ukrainian government of pursuing policies aimed at marginalizing Russian speakers, suggesting that any negotiated settlement that leaves them under Kiev’s authority would be unacceptable to Moscow.
Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s stance that negotiations with Ukraine remain possible, but questioned the legitimacy of President Vladimir Zelensky, whose official term expired in 2024. Zelensky has delayed elections, citing martial law and the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Lavrov suggested that any peace agreement signed by Zelensky could be disputed by a future government in Kiev due to uncertainties over his legal authority.
“If Zelensky’s junta thinks it can sign something and keep ruling according to laws they made, it’s an illusion,” Lavrov said.
The Russian foreign minister stressed that holding elections in Ukraine would be the most effective solution to the legitimacy crisis. However, he noted that negotiations on ending hostilities should take precedence, with the leadership question to be settled afterward.
“The issue of who signs the peace treaty can be discussed once the terms of settlement are finalized,” Lavrov said.
These statements come just days after Russian and Ukrainian delegations met in Istanbul for the first direct talks since 2022. While both sides agreed in principle to continue negotiations and conduct a major prisoner swap, no final agreement has yet been reached.