UKRAINE: THE SITUATION 699 - JANUARY 22, 2024

Russia continues to use its position on the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) as a weapon to advance several long-standing Russian intelligence operations.

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, spoke at a meeting of the UN Security Council convened by Russia on January 22, blaming the West for the failure of negotiations and claiming that Russia had always been "ready for negotiations." Lavrov, however, made it clear that Russia was only interested in negotiations that would result in the removal of the current Ukrainian government, confirming that Russia officially continues to pursue a regime change in Ukraine. Lavrov continues to deny Ukraine's independence and sovereignty, falsely claiming that the Ukrainian people have no interest in a war with Russia and that the West has pressured Ukraine to continue the war. Lavrov advised the West to understand that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's "peace formula" is a "path to nowhere" and stated that it would be better for both Ukraine and the West to "realize this sooner." Lavrov also claimed that "if Ukraine stops fighting, hundreds of thousands" of Ukrainian lives would be saved. Lavrov had made similar statements earlier, suggesting that the Kremlin believes that Russia can occupy more territory as the war continues and that this course of the war will increasingly weaken Ukraine's negotiating position.

The full Russian Offensive Update 699 is available directly from UNDERSTANDING WAR.

UNDERSTANDING WAR