Russia's Ukraine ultimatum to Europe: 'Unacceptable'

Zakharova evaluated current issues at a press conference held in the capital, Moscow.

Responding to a question about whether they are consulting with the US on the lifting of sanctions imposed on Russia, Zakharova said, "We are not consulting on the issue of sanctions and we are not raising this topic. We are not the ones who imposed these sanctions. These sanctions harm those who imposed them first. Sanctions not approved by the United Nations are illegitimate."

Touching upon negotiations with the US regarding the Ukraine crisis, Zakharova stated, "A peaceful resolution of the crisis requires comprehensive and expert-level consultation on the details. We are waiting for the American administration to appoint a representative and form a negotiating team to initiate the negotiation process. Accordingly, we will also be able to determine our representative."

'A SERIES OF FALSE THESES' COMMENT ON MACRON'S STATEMENTS

Evaluating French President Emmanuel Macron's statements that "French nuclear capacity could be used for European security and that Russia is preparing to fight Europe," Zakharova said, "These are a series of false theses. It is impossible for Macron not to understand that one of the root causes of the Ukraine crisis lies in the West's deliberate disregard for Russian interests."

Stating that European countries are opposed to a peaceful resolution of the Ukraine crisis, Zakharova said that France and the UK are trying to temporarily stop the clashes in Ukraine.

Zakharova stated, "Serious agreements are needed regarding the final resolution of the Ukraine issue. A pause in the fighting is unacceptable. This will lead to the exact opposite results. The deployment of military units in Ukraine under European flags is also absolutely unacceptable."

Expressing that Ukraine could provide its own security guarantees, Zakharova said, "Ukraine can do this by returning to the state foundations contained in the 1990 Declaration of State Sovereignty. This concerns the status of being neutral, not joining any alliance, not possessing nuclear weapons, and renouncing Nazi ideology."

Zakharova stated that Germany is turning a blind eye to the activities of the Ukraine-backed Russian Volunteer Corps (RDK), adding, "By interacting with this organization, Germany is playing with fire. This fire could also spread to Germany. We advise the German side to assess the risks of supporting such organizations. Germany has painful experience in this regard."

"IT WILL STOP THE CYCLE OF CONFLICT"

Pointing out that the Arab League held a summit in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, on March 4, and that a plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip was adopted at this summit, Zakharova said, "This plan envisions Palestinians remaining in Gaza. We call on Palestinians, Israelis, and external powers to unite around the Arab plan and work together to realize it."

Emphasizing that a sustainable ceasefire and the safety of the civilian population must be ensured in Gaza, Zakharova said, "The peace process between Palestine and Israel must be restarted in order to resolve existing problems and determine the final status. This will stop the cycle of conflict."

Zakharova expressed that they are in favor of resolving the Palestinian issue on a two-state basis and are ready to provide all kinds of initiatives in this regard.

"EU REMAINS SILENT ON UKRAINE'S ATTACK ON TURKSTREAM"

Pointing out that Ukraine carried out an attack on the infrastructure of the TurkStream natural gas pipeline last week, Zakharova said that the European Union (EU) remains silent on this issue, and noted the following:

"While EU countries cannot say a single word about their own security, they show cowardice by discussing security guarantees for Ukraine. The EU's energy infrastructure is actually in danger. Not a single word was said about the subject at any meeting of EU energy, foreign, or defense ministers, or representatives of special services, or even at summits. They are silent."

Touching upon the explosion that occurred last week at the Russian Consulate General in Marseille, Zakharova pointed out that 2 French citizens were caught in connection with the incident and were sentenced to 8 months of house arrest.

Zakharova said, "We are astonished by this. This is an unprecedented court decision. We call on the French administration to take the necessary measures to ensure the safety of Russian institutions, employees, and their families."

News Source: AA