Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned Ukraine to demilitarise immediately, adding that failure to do so would invite further military action.

Ukraine must remove any military threat to Russia — otherwise “the Russian army (will) solve the issue”, Lavrov said, according to Tass news agency.

He reiterated Russia’s claim that the West and Ukraine were responsible for the current conflict that began in February this year and claimed thousands of lives.

Lavrov said that the West was waging the war in Ukraine to destabilise Russia, and added that the duration of the conflict depends on how soon Kyiv and Washington were willing to hold talks.

“As for the duration of the conflict, the ball is on the side of the (Kyiv) regime and Washington that stands behind its back,” Lavrov told the state Tass news agency. “They may stop senseless resistance at any moment.”

The remarks invited a sharp retort from Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak who tweeted that “Russia needs to face the reality.”

<h2>President Putin says Russia wants to end Ukraine war, "The Sooner, The Better"</h2>

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“Neither total mobilization, nor panicky search for ammo, nor secret contracts with Iran, nor Lavrov’s threats will help,” he said.

“Ukraine will demilitarize the RF (Russian Federation) to the end, oust the invaders from all occupied territories. Wait for the finale silently…”

It comes a day after Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the AP news agency that his government wants a “peace” summit to discuss about the possibilities of ending the war, but remained sceptic of Russia’s participation.

Also read |<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/putin-to-bans-russian-oil-exports-to-countries-that-imposed-price-cap-starting-february-decree-547160">&nbsp;Putin issues decree banning Russian crude oil exports to countries that imposed price cap</a>

He said that Ukraine wants the summit within two months with UN Secretary-General António Guterres acting as mediator.

Meanwhile, fierce fighting continued on Tuesday in the Russia-claimed Donetsk and Luhansk regions that recently have been the scene of the most intense clashes.

Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said that Ukrainian forces have been succursal in thwarting Russian soldiers’ attempts to encircle Bakhmut city in the Donetsk region.

Heavy battles are also underway around the city of Kreminna in the Luhansk region.

(With inputs from agencies)

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned Ukraine to demilitarise immediately, adding that failure to do so would invite further military action. Ukraine must remove any military threat to Russia — otherwise “the Russian army (will) solve the issue”, Lavrov said, according to Tass news agency.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has warned Ukraine to demilitarise immediately, adding that failure to do so would invite further military action. Ukraine must remove any military threat to Russia — otherwise “the Russian army (will) solve the issue”, Lavrov said, according to Tass news agency. He reiterated Russia’s claim that the West and Ukraine were responsible for the current conflict that began in February this year and claimed thousands of lives. Lavrov said that the West was waging the war in Ukraine to destabilise Russia, and added that the duration of the conflict depends on how soon Kyiv and Washington were willing to hold talks. “As for the duration of the conflict, the ball is on the side of the (Kyiv) regime and Washington that stands behind its back,” Lavrov told the state Tass news agency. “They may stop senseless resistance at any moment.” The remarks invited a sharp retort from Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak who tweeted that “Russia needs to face the reality.” President Putin says Russia wants to end Ukraine war, "The Sooner, The Better" “Neither total mobilization, nor panicky search for ammo, nor secret contracts with Iran, nor Lavrov’s threats will help,” he said. “Ukraine will demilitarize the RF (Russian Federation) to the end, oust the invaders from all occupied territories. Wait for the finale silently…” It comes a day after Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba told the AP news agency that his government wants a “peace” summit to discuss about the possibilities of ending the war, but remained sceptic of Russia’s participation. Also read | Putin issues decree banning Russian crude oil exports to countries that imposed price cap He said that Ukraine wants the summit within two months with UN Secretary-General António Guterres acting as mediator. Meanwhile, fierce fighting continued on Tuesday in the Russia-claimed Donetsk and Luhansk regions that recently have been the scene of the most intense clashes. Ukraine’s Deputy Defence Minister Hanna Maliar said that Ukrainian forces have been succursal in thwarting Russian soldiers’ attempts to encircle Bakhmut city in the Donetsk region. Heavy battles are also underway around the city of Kreminna in the Luhansk region. (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Ukraine must demilitarise, or else...: Russian foreign minister Lavrov threatens

Russian foreign minister Sergei&nbsp;Lavrov arrived in India's capital New Delhi on Thursday evening.

The Russian foreign minister will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on April 1.

Lavrov arrived in India amid the war in Ukraine. Before arriving in India, Lavrov had held discussions with the Chinese minister of foreign affairs Wang Yi in Tunxi, China.

<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/russia-trying-to-reinforce-offensive-in-donbas-maintains-pressure-on-kyiv-nato-467184">Also Read:&nbsp;Russia trying to reinforce offensive in Donbas, says NATO</a>

The Chinese foreign minister was in the Indian capital last week to discuss the regional situation and bilateral relations. Wang had met India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as de-escalation talks in eastern Ladakh took centre stage during talks.

Lavrov's meeting is the first high-level visit of a Russian official since the war began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin had visited India in December last year as he held summit talks with PM Narendra Modi.

Watch:&nbsp;&nbsp;UK aims to rally India to support West against Kremlin

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Meanwhile, UK foreign secretary Elizabeth Truss visited met Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi on Thursday. "Of course, it's a vital time for global security in the wake of Russia's illegal invasion in Ukraine," Truss said.

"It's essential to respect the principle sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law and it's very important for the United Kingdom that we are improving our economic, our security and defence relationships," Truss said in New Delhi.

The visit by the UK foreign secretary comes amid "wider diplomatic push" with the Ukraine war in focus. US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh had arrived in India on Wednesday.

The British High Commission in India said Truss wants to "counter" Russia's aggression and reduce global strategic dependence on the country ahead of the key NATO and G7 meetings next week.&nbsp;

(With inputs from Agencies)

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in India's capital New Delhi on Thursday evening. The Russian foreign minister will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S.

Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov arrived in India's capital New Delhi on Thursday evening. The Russian foreign minister will meet Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi and external affairs minister S. Jaishankar on April 1. Lavrov arrived in India amid the war in Ukraine. Before arriving in India, Lavrov had held discussions with the Chinese minister of foreign affairs Wang Yi in Tunxi, China. Also Read: Russia trying to reinforce offensive in Donbas, says NATO The Chinese foreign minister was in the Indian capital last week to discuss the regional situation and bilateral relations. Wang had met India's National Security Adviser Ajit Doval as de-escalation talks in eastern Ladakh took centre stage during talks. Lavrov's meeting is the first high-level visit of a Russian official since the war began on February 24. Russian President Vladimir Putin had visited India in December last year as he held summit talks with PM Narendra Modi. Watch: UK aims to rally India to support West against Kremlin Meanwhile, UK foreign secretary Elizabeth Truss visited met Subrahmanyam Jaishankar in New Delhi on Thursday. "Of course, it's a vital time for global security in the wake of Russia's illegal invasion in Ukraine," Truss said. "It's essential to respect the principle sovereignty, territorial integrity and international law and it's very important for the United Kingdom that we are improving our economic, our security and defence relationships," Truss said in New Delhi. The visit by the UK foreign secretary comes amid "wider diplomatic push" with the Ukraine war in focus. US Deputy National Security Adviser Daleep Singh had arrived in India on Wednesday. The British High Commission in India said Truss wants to "counter" Russia's aggression and reduce global strategic dependence on the country ahead of the key NATO and G7 meetings next week. (With inputs from Agencies)

Russian foreign minister Lavrov arrives in India

As a top North Korean official <a href="http://wionews.com/world/dprk-urges-s-korea-to-scrap-military-intelligence-pact-with-japan-140879">arrives in New York ahead of President</a> Trump and Kim's talks, Russia announced that foreign minister Sergey Lavrov will be going to North Korea for talks.

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited North Korea last week and met Kim Jong-un in order to prepare the ground for talks with&nbsp;President Trump.

Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are set to meet at Singapore on June 12th with denuclearisation on top of the agenda.

Even as hectic preparations continue, North Korea sent a message to South Korea urging it to scrap the military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan. In a similar move last month, Kim had taken potshots at the South and had rapped President Trump for conducting military drills close to North Korean waters nearly derailing the summit talks.

Pyongyang has also asked Seoul to repatriate 12 women, who were allegedly kidnapped two years ago by South Korean intelligence.

Meanwhile, Kim's trusted ex-spy and four-star general Kim Yong Chol responsible for inter-Korean affairs is set to take up Kim's message to the White House today. The US and South Korea had earlier blacklisted him for supporting North Korea's nuclear programme.&nbsp;

Yong Chol was also reportedly the bodyguard of Kim's late father Kim Jong Il.

As efforts continue to ensure smooth conduct of talks between Kim and Tump, North Korea's allies Russia and China have kept in close touch with country fearing the US may seek to isolate them by handing out trade deals to the reclusive island nation.

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US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited North Korea last week

As a top North Korean official arrives in New York ahead of President Trump and Kim's talks, Russia announced that foreign minister Sergey Lavrov will be going to North Korea for talks. US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo had visited North Korea last week and met Kim Jong-un in order to prepare the ground for talks with President Trump. Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un are set to meet at Singapore on June 12th with denuclearisation on top of the agenda. Even as hectic preparations continue, North Korea sent a message to South Korea urging it to scrap the military intelligence-sharing pact with Japan. In a similar move last month, Kim had taken potshots at the South and had rapped President Trump for conducting military drills close to North Korean waters nearly derailing the summit talks. Pyongyang has also asked Seoul to repatriate 12 women, who were allegedly kidnapped two years ago by South Korean intelligence. Meanwhile, Kim's trusted ex-spy and four-star general Kim Yong Chol responsible for inter-Korean affairs is set to take up Kim's message to the White House today. The US and South Korea had earlier blacklisted him for supporting North Korea's nuclear programme. Yong Chol was also reportedly the bodyguard of Kim's late father Kim Jong Il. As efforts continue to ensure smooth conduct of talks between Kim and Tump, North Korea's allies Russia and China have kept in close touch with country fearing the US may seek to isolate them by handing out trade deals to the reclusive island nation.

Ahead of Trump-Kim talks, Russian foreign minister Lavrov to visit North Korea

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Ukraine must demilitarise, or else...: Russian foreign minister Lavrov threatens

Russian foreign minister Lavrov arrives in India

Ahead of Trump-Kim talks, Russian foreign minister Lavrov to visit North Korea