Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Wednesday again rejected calls for a ceasefire in Moscow’s war on Ukraine during a meeting of the UN Security Council.
Lavrov accused Europe of seeking a pause in the fighting to “replenish” Ukraine’s military arsenals.
Moscow was instead seeking a “long-term peace deal” to end the conflict, as previously outlined by Russian President Vladimir Putin, Lavrov said.
He portrayed Russia’s invasion, which Moscow calls a “special military operation,” as necessary to protect its security interests and the rights of Russians in Ukraine.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha responded by reiterating that Kiev was ready for an immediate and complete ceasefire without preconditions, provided Moscow also observed it.
Ukraine was also prepared for partial ceasefires covering energy facilities or grain exports, Sybiha said, adding that 14 of the 15 members of the Security Council supported such proposals, including the United States and China.
The Trump administration has recently floated a moratorium between Russia and Ukraine on attacks against energy facilities, but Moscow has repeatedly rejected the proposal.
Contrary to expectations, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky did not attend the Security Council meeting. He is due to address the UN General Assembly later on Wednesday.