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Lavrov says Russia not to blame for deadlocked situation around Ukraine

According to the Russian foreign minister, Moscow "has repeatedly demonstrated good will" and is always ready to demonstrate it again

MOSCOW, April 4. /TASS/. Russia has been defending the interests of its people, and the deadlock in the situation around Ukraine should not be blamed on Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters.

"The situation is deadlocked, but we cannot be blamed for that," Russia’s top diplomat said. "Our conscience is absolutely clear as we defend our truth and the interests of our people living in lands which were founded by their ancestors <…> and if they want to negotiate, based on justice, reality and the balance of interests in the sphere of security, we are ready to do so at any minute," he emphasized.

According to Lavrov, Russia "has repeatedly demonstrated good will" and is always ready to demonstrate it again. "It was not us who destroyed the Istanbul document, and everybody is well aware of that," he added. "It was not us who enacted laws prohibiting any talks with Ukraine, and, well, it was not us who invented ultimatums a la 'Zelensky’s formula' and others," he concluded.