MOSCOW: Moscow hopes Kiev would follow its national interests in the Russia-Ukraine peace talks, rather than listening to "advisers" from outside, said Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov,
"It is not the talks that influence the course of the operation, but external 'players' who are attempting to stymie these negotiations and intensify the clashes 'on the ground,'" he said at a press conference on Monday following talks with Arab League (AL) representatives on Ukraine, according to a Russian Foreign Ministry statement.
"We know who provides our Ukrainian neighbours such "advice." This is done in the name of futile goals that have nothing to do with the interests of the Ukrainian people, Ukraine's security, the security of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe's (OSCE) region, and our European region "he said.
"I hope that those leading the Kiev delegation at the said discussions would begin to be directed by their own national interests, the interests of their people, rather than listening to 'advisers' from afar, who often merely wish to see how the crisis situation continues to deteriorate," Lavrov said, adding that Russia will refute false allegations regarding the special operation in Ukraine.
The Minister further emphasised his willingness to collaborate and continue to update colleagues in the AL on the situation's progress, as per statement.
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