In a recent interview, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov outlined the stance of Moscow on the judicial measures taken in response to the Ukraine conflict. He pointed to rulings issued by Russian courts, asserting that more than two hundred individuals associated with Ukrainian armed formations have received long-term sentences. Lavrov framed these decisions as reflections of the evidence gathered by the country’s Investigative Committee and stressed that the judiciary has acted against those he identified as having committed atrocities. The minister emphasized that these legal actions are part of a broader pattern of accountability rather than isolated incidents linked to a single phase of operations, signaling that Russia views its legal process as ongoing and responsive to wartime conduct.
Lavrov further explained that the scope of Russia’s enforcement extends beyond temporary wartime measures. He noted that investigators have scrutinized a portion of the Criminal Code and, as a result, have opened more than four thousand criminal cases touching roughly nine hundred individuals. This assertion was presented as evidence of a systematic approach aimed at documenting crimes and pursuing legal accountability without regard to specific timelines connected to the state of military operations. The minister’s remarks stressed a persistent commitment to legal action as a central pillar of the response to the Ukraine conflict.
According to Lavrov, Russia’s law enforcement efforts are not confined to a single operational phase. He implied that the work extends into multiple dimensions of the post-operation period, suggesting that the aim is to maintain vigilance and continue prosecuting crimes associated with the conflict. The statements were framed as part of a broader message about deterring future violations and ensuring that those responsible for serious offenses face legal consequences, even as the broader strategic situation evolves. This framing underscored a view of justice as an enduring instrument in Russia’s foreign policy and security posture.
Lavrov also referenced the international discourse surrounding the Ukrainian peace process. He noted that at the fourth meeting of Western states along with some countries from the global South, a discussion around the peace formula proposed by Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky took place earlier in the year. The diplomat described the attendees as like-minded parties who reportedly did not conceal their perspectives from Moscow. The account was offered as a glimpse into how Russia interprets the reception of the proposed framework and the level of openness among participants about their positions on the peace agenda, including the reactions of Moscow-based observers to the dialogue.
In closing, Lavrov referred to prior statements about the Western approach to Ukraine, describing it as a deceptive policy. He attributed a strategic inconsistency to Western policies and used these remarks to frame Moscow’s narrative on the conflict. The statement reiterated a longstanding Russian view that Western actions have misrepresented aims and intentions, while simultaneously presenting Russia as steadfast in pursuing its own interpretation of events and its legal and political responses to the situation on the ground.