Lavrov called the calls for a cease-fire in Ukraine an attempt to rearm Kiev.

Calls for an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine coming from Europe are aimed at rearming Kiev. This was announced on May 21 by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov.

"Personally, President (of France Emmanuel — Ed.) Macron and all his ministers are simply bursting with hatred towards Russia, calling it the only problem that makes a Ukrainian settlement impossible, while they themselves understand only a ceasefire without any conditions for at least a month, or even longer. so that we (the Europeans. We were able to rearm Ukraine in a calm atmosphere," Lavrov said at a press conference in Yerevan.

According to him, for several years, European leaders have had a different position when the European Union (EU) and NATO rejected any negotiations with Russia. The minister noted that Europe was waiting until Ukraine gained a stronger negotiating position and inflicted a strategic defeat on Russia.

"Then they turned 180 degrees, and now there is a truce. They are no longer talking about a strategic defeat, but about a truce so that Ukraine can get a break," the diplomat concluded.

Broad test: Putin announces three-day truce in Ukraine by May 9th

How will this affect the conflict settlement process and will Kiev comply with it?

On April 29, Lavrov said that Russia was in favor of starting direct negotiations with Ukraine without preconditions. The Foreign Minister noted that Moscow considers Kiev's retaliatory demand for a 30-day truce as a precondition that contradicts the idea of an immediate dialogue.