Lavrov slams Turkey’s arms supply to Ukraine, casting doubt on mediation role

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denounced Turkey’s continued supply of arms to Ukraine, asserting that Turkish arms are directly impacting Russian soldiers and civilians.

Speaking to the Turkish newspaper Hurriyet, Lavrov emphasized that Turkey’s military support for what he termed the “Kyiv regime” undermines Ankara’s credibility as a mediator in the conflict.

Lavrov highlighted Turkey’s significant contributions to earlier peace efforts, including facilitating grain exports and hosting 2022 negotiations in Istanbul. However, he voiced doubts about Ankara’s current mediation role, suggesting that Ukraine’s resistance to dialogue with Russia hampers progress. “We proposed to assess these actions in the UN Security Council. However, this was impossible due to opposition from Western members,” Lavrov added, underscoring Russia’s frustration with Western resistance.

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Amidst growing tension, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan previously hinted that Russian President Vladimir Putin might be open to a ceasefire, with Putin reportedly stating, “The outcome should favor Russia, I say this clearly, without any hesitation, and should reflect the realities on the battlefield.” Yet, Kyiv has so far refused to negotiate, creating a diplomatic deadlock.

Russia has detailed stringent terms for peace, including Ukraine’s neutral status, territorial concessions, and the lifting of Western sanctions. Lavrov concluded by placing the burden of responsibility on Kyiv and its allies if the proposal is dismissed, stating it would be their “political and moral responsibility for the continuation of bloodshed.”