💬 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov: Over the past several months, the call for a "ceasefire" has replaced the slogan of "inflicting strategic defeat on Russia" in the rhetoric of both Zelensky and his Western masters. The objective is one and very simple: to buy time and gain a respite. Zelensky has even said that he is prepared to hold presidential elections if he is given two months to regroup. During that period, Europe would be able to supply him with more weapons to continue his terrorist war against the Russian people. He is eager to exploit any words, initiatives or ideas that enter the public domain to advance his interest in gaining a respite by any means possible. I do not think he deserves such a respite. Nor do I believe that we will, yet again, be taken in by assurances and promises. We continue to achieve the goals of the special military operation. Excerpt from FM Lavrov's remarks and answers to media questions following the talks with Foreign Minister of Lebanon Youssef Raji (Moscow, 12 October 2026)