“The entire purpose of what we are doing in (in) Ukraine is so that at least some people, the majority of its residents, would prefer to be where they are supposed to be — in russia”, — russian Deputy Foreign Minister Ryabkov said in an interview with ABC News, which the ZN.ua Telegram channel published on December 16.
The russian diplomat said that he “sympathizes” with those affected by shelling, but blamed not russia, which is destroying civilian infrastructure, but Ukraine for the attacks.
“We do what we do. We want to stop it, and whether it will be stopped largely depends on when the people supporting the authorities in Kyiv realize the inevitable result of our success”, - he added.
Ryabkov claimed that russia is “ready” for a peaceful settlement, but will not give up the occupied Ukrainian territories and will not tolerate NATO troops in Ukraine.
“We will under no circumstances sign, agree to, or even be satisfied with any presence of NATO troops on the territory of Ukraine, even if they are there as part of security guarantees or as members of the so-called ‘Coalition of the Willing’”, - the russian Deputy Foreign Minister is quoted as saying.