The Russian Foreign Minister described a “uncomfortable” meeting between Orthodox countries in a universal location, implying it. At the same time, he stressed that the draft agreement to resolve the conflict in Ukraine is at an advanced stage, but without revealing further details.
Harsh criticism of Zelenski and Ukrainian leadership
Lavrov fired a strong fire against the president of Ukraine, describing the leadership of the “junta” and arguing that Moscow will not allow Ukraine Russian -speaking citizens to remain under the “sovereignty” of this government. “It would be a crime for Russia to allow it,” the Russian minister stressed, adding that the international community should require Kiev to cancel the laws that are discriminating against Russian -speaking.
The religious dimension of the conflict and the protection of ‘normal orthodoxy’
Lavrov’s rhetoric is closely linked to the religious dimension of the conflict. Together with Patriarch Moscow Cyril, they defended the “normal” Ukrainian Orthodox Church under Metropolitan Onoufrios, denouncing persecutions and violent occupations of temples in Ukraine. Lavrov accused Kiev of a systematic elimination of the Russian language, culture and normal Orthodoxy, while denouncing the desertions of sacred relics in the Lavra of Kiev caves.
