In a heated speech to the UN General Assembly on Saturday, Sergei Lavrov, the foreign minister of Russia, dismissed the 10-point peace proposal put up by Ukraine and cautioned that if the West maintained on pursuing its suggested agenda, the current conflict might only be settled on the battlefield.
Lavrov, known for his assertive rhetoric, did not mince words when he characterized the Western world as an empire of lies during his address, according to New York Post.
Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Rejects Ukraine's Peace Plan
He further disparaged Ukraine's peace plan, promoted by Kyiv, by asserting that it was completely not feasible. The ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine has long been a contentious issue on the international stage, with diplomatic efforts struggling to find common ground. Lavrov's statements at the UN General Assembly have further heightened tensions and questioned the prospects of a peaceful resolution.
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres had previously outlined four measures that the UN could facilitate to improve Russia's grain and fertilizer exports, aiming to incentivize Moscow to reconsider the Black Sea deal. This deal enabled Ukraine to export grain through a designated corridor, contributing to addressing global food shortages.
However, Lavrov dismissed these proposals, asserting they were neither practical nor realistic. The situation escalated on the same day as Ukraine launched another missile attack on Sevastopol, located in occupied Crimea, according to a statement by a Russian-installed official.
This strike followed a previous attack on the headquarters of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which resulted in a serviceman going missing and significant damage to the main building. The missile attack prompted Sevastopol to be placed on air raid alert for approximately an hour as debris from intercepted missiles fell near a pier.
Ferry traffic in the area was temporarily halted before resuming normal operations. Reports of loud blasts and rising smoke clouds near Vilne in northern Crimea added to the heightened tension. Since Vladimir Putin's order for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine nearly 19 months ago, Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, has continued to be a frequent flashpoint for conflicts between Ukrainian and Russian forces.
Ukraine's intelligence chief, Kyrylo Budanov, reported that at least nine people had been killed and 16 others were injured due to Kyiv's attack on the Black Sea Fleet on Friday. He also mentioned that Alexander Romanchuk, a Russian general responsible for commanding forces along the key southeastern front line, was in a "very serious condition" following the attack.
On a separate front, Ukraine reported that its heavy artillery was inflicting significant damage on Russian positions near Bakhmut. These heavy weapons, supplied by Western nations, have played a crucial role in the ongoing counteroffensive against Russian forces.
The 155mm howitzers the US and NATO allies provided have proven particularly effective in this effort. Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced several support packages for Ukraine, encompassing military, economic, and humanitarian assistance.
He also pledged to provide additional diplomatic backing to hold Russia accountable for its actions in Ukraine, as per to the Independent.
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Canada and Ukraine Unite Against Russian Aggression
Meanwhile, in a joint news conference with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Prime Minister Trudeau they confirmed Canada's commitment to impose costs on Russia and ensure that those responsible for the illegal, unjustifiable invasion of Ukraine would not benefit from their actions.
"We stand here absolutely united in our defense of democracy and our condemnation of Vladimir Putin's unprovoked, unjustified, and unconscionable invasion of Ukraine," Trudeau declared.
In solidarity, Canada and Ukraine have formed a working group with G7 partners to assess the seizure and forfeiture of Russian assets, including those of the Russian Central Bank. Additionally, Canada has added 63 Russian individuals to its sanctions list, targeting those complicit in various offenses, including kidnapping children and disseminating disinformation.
The situation in Ukraine continues to be a significant international concern, with diplomatic efforts stalling amid escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine. The future remains uncertain as both sides grapple with the complex challenges of resolving the conflict and achieving a lasting peace, The Guardian reported.
