'Ukraine' statement from Russia: 'Zelenskiy does not want negotiations with Moscow'

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov answered questions from members of the press after the 9th Strategic Dialogue Foreign Ministers Meeting between Russia and the Gulf Arab States Cooperation Council (GCC) held in Manama, the capital of Bahrain.

Answering the question about whether the diesel fuel agreement between Russia and the USA was discussed during the meeting in Bahrain, Lavrov said, "The diesel agreement between Moscow and Washington is an issue that concerns Moscow and Washington."

Stating that the agreement in question is considered a betrayal to Ukraine in the European Union (EU), Lavrov said, "Zelenskiy, on the other hand, says that the issue of export of Russian diesel fuel should be resolved with him, because only he can allow it. However, this is no longer in the field of energy security, but in the field of self-promotion and a new farce."

Lavrov stated that Zelenskiy was trying to keep the attention of the international community and reminded the billions of dollars of aid that the Ukrainian administration requested from Western countries.

GAS EXPORTING COUNTRIES FORUM WILL BE HELD HOSTED BY RUSSIA

Emphasizing that energy security is one of the common issues that unites the countries, Lavrov stated that Russia continues its cooperation within the framework of OPEC + and the Gas Exporting Countries Forum.

Lavrov said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will host the summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum to be held in Moscow on October 28-29, and that he believes that decisions will be taken to stabilize global energy markets.

Accusing European countries of damaging energy markets in order to support the Ukrainian administration, Lavrov commented that these countries also encouraged Ukraine's attacks on civilian infrastructure and oil refineries in Russia.

Reminding that upon the suggestion of US President Donald Trump, an understanding was reached between Moscow and Kiev many times and certain agreements were reached on the resumption of negotiations, Lavrov said that with this situation, Ukraine carried out attacks against civilian targets in Russia and specifically targeted civilian facilities and civilians.

"ZELENSKIY DOES NOT WANT NEGOTIATIONS"

“So we have only one conclusion from this: Zelenskiy does not want negotiations.” Lavrov said that Zelenskiy prevented the implementation of the agreements reached in Paris in 2019 and ended the negotiations held in Istanbul in the summer of 2025.

Stating that there was no progress other than Russia's initiative after the tripartite meeting held in Abu Dhabi, Lavrov said, "Zelenskiy does not even want to move towards reaching an agreement. This is clear. Apparently, this is because he knows that any agreement acceptable to Russia and the USA will mean the end of his administration and himself personally." he said.