Lavrov admitted that Russia will continue to attack Ukraine.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia will continue to attack facilities used by the Ukrainian military. In an interview aired on the American television channel CBS, Lavrov noted that these facilities are used both by the Ukrainian military and by mercenaries from other countries.

“We will continue to attack facilities used by the Ukrainian military, some mercenaries from foreign countries, and instructors who Europeans have officially sent to assist in the attacks on Russian civilian objects,” Lavrov said.

Recently, Russian missiles destroyed a residential building in Kyiv, killing 12 people. Lavrov emphasized that the target was not the civilian population. Also, in April, Russian military forces shelled the cities of Kryvyi Rih and Sumy, resulting in the deaths of dozens of peaceful citizens, including children.

Russia claims to be ready to seek a balance of interests in relations with Ukraine; however, it does not wish to transfer the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. Earlier, the Kremlin announced that Vladimir Putin was ready to negotiate with Ukraine without any conditions.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio believes that the next week will be crucial for ending the war in Ukraine. Recently, Donald Trump and Volodymyr Zelensky attended the funeral of Pope Francis. After this, the U.S. president stated that Vladimir Putin is not trying to end the conflict in Ukraine.

Analysis:

Considering the statements made by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov regarding continued attacks on facilities used by the Ukrainian military, it becomes evident that Russia has no intention of stopping violence in Ukraine. Missile attacks leading to the deaths of peaceful citizens and the destruction of facilities violate international norms and threaten the safety of the region.

It is also important to note that Russia's interests in relations with Ukraine are not considered on equal terms, as it refuses to transfer the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. This may negatively impact Ukraine's energy security and domestic stability.

The situation in Ukraine remains tense, and resolving the conflict is extremely important for ensuring peace and security in the region. The next week could be decisive for ending the war, and the international community must intensify its efforts to ensure dialogue and peaceful resolution of the conflict.