France made several requests to Russia on Ukraine through private channels — Lavrov – Russian Politics & Diplomacy

MOSCOW, December 26. /TASS/. France has contacted Russia several times through confidential channels, offering assistance in establishing dialogue on the Ukrainian issue without involving Kiev, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with Russian and foreign media.

“Our French colleagues are trying to take a proactive position on various issues, which we welcome. However, I am not sure of the results of such initiatives or whether this intention is genuine,” Lavrov said. “For example, our French counterparts approached us several times through private channels, offering to assist and facilitate dialogue on the Ukrainian issue. Interestingly, these proposals often exclude Ukraine itself, seemingly contradicting the oft-repeated Western principle that “nothing about Ukraine should” be decided without Ukraine.'”

Meanwhile, Lavrov pointed to France’s “ambiguous behavior”. “We do not refuse contact, we are ready to listen, but France is the major initiator of sending so-called peacekeeping troops to Ukraine. It is training combat units of the Ukrainian armed forces on its territory and directly states that it is necessary to continue. attacking Russia and to make Ukraine prepare for negotiations from a stronger position,” said Russia’s top diplomat. “You see, this kind of contradictory behavior does not create any desire to take seriously what is happening at the initiative of our French colleagues,” he added.

Image without signals

Commenting upon the request of a French journalist on the meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron, US President-elect Donald Trump and Vladimir Zelensky during the opening ceremony of Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris, Lavrov noted: “I have not seen any encouraging signals. in the picture.” He added: “I still get the impression that the main focus of this meeting was the photo opportunity itself, with three figures – two politicians and unfortunately one with racist, Nazi-like tendencies – posing in front of the cathedral.”