MOSCOW, May 2. /TASS/. Moscow won’t set artificial timeframes for its military operation in Ukraine in order to complete it by Victory Day, celebrated on May 9, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with Italy’s Mediaset broadcaster.

"Our troops won’t artificially base their activities on a specific date, including Victory Day," he pointed out in response to a question. "We will solemnly celebrate May 9 the way we always do," Lavrov added.

According to him, the pace of Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine first and foremost depends "on the need to mitigate risks for civilians and Russian troops."

Lavrov noted that the operation was particularly aimed at ensuring the safety of civilians and making sure that there were no threats from Ukraine to civilians and Russia, "which would be related to offensive weapons and the spread of Nazi ideas that the West is trying to downplay."

"I’ve seen reports on NBC, I’ve read the National Interest magazine. Serious articles have started to appear there that are warning against playing games with Nazis, like it happened in 1935-1938," the Russian top diplomat emphasized.