Lavrov’s statements suggest that Russia is not ready to invade Ukraine any time soon. The US has been warning since Friday that Russia could start ‘any moment’ with ‘very large military action in Ukraine’.
The conversation between Putin and Lavrov was broadcast on Russian state television on Monday. Putin asked his foreign minister whether there is still a chance for agreements with Western countries on Russian security requirements. According to Lavrov, the US has made concrete proposals to prevent military escalation, but the responses from the EU and NATO are unsatisfactory. He did not go into detail about the content of the Western proposals.
no decision
Russia also postponed a decision on recognizing separatist republics in eastern Ukraine. The Kremlin-controlled parliament was supposed to vote on Monday on recognition of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic and the Luhansk People’s Republic, but decided to seek advice from the foreign ministry first. That means that no decision will be made any time soon.
Russian recognition of the separatist republics would escalate the very tense situation in Ukraine. Russia would then abort the peace process in eastern Ukraine and clear the way for permanent military bases in eastern Ukraine – now Moscow is denying evidence of military support for the separatists. Russia has already recognized separatist republics in Georgia.