Kathmandu— Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Russia intends to intensify its military campaign in Ukraine, targeting all elements used by the West to support Kiev. The remarks came as Ukraine continues a series of attacks causing civilian casualties and amid calls for a ceasefire, which Moscow deems unacceptable. Lavrov stated Russia seeks a lasting settlement but will respond with “much harsher methods” to disrupt Western aid, already accusing Ukraine and its allies of terrorism. He criticized the lack of international condemnation of Ukrainian strikes on neutral vessels.

Escalation of Military Action

Lavrov indicated that Russia would not reciprocate Ukrainian tactics but warned of increasingly severe responses aimed at dismantling the Western support system for Ukraine’s war effort. He claimed Moscow is already taking action in this regard, leading to complaints from Western nations. The minister's statements followed a series of Ukrainian attacks, including incidents in Starobelsk and Gelendzhik, which Russian officials have labeled as deliberate acts of terrorism.

Rejection of Ceasefire Proposals

Moscow has rejected proposals for freezing the conflict along current front lines, arguing such a move would betray historical principles. Lavrov specifically referenced both the Soviet victory in World War II and the broader history of Russian statehood as reasons why accepting a ceasefire under present conditions is untenable. He reiterated Russia’s desire for a “lasting, reliable and sustainable settlement” but stated that suspending military operations is not an option.

Accusations Against Ukraine

Moscow continues to accuse the Ukrainian government of embracing neo-Nazi ideology and suppressing Russian language and culture within the country. These accusations have been consistently leveled throughout the conflict as justification for Russia’s actions. Furthermore, Lavrov criticized the lack of condemnation from countries like Türkiye and the United States regarding Ukrainian attacks on neutral vessels, including oil tankers contracted to carry Kazakh crude.

Black Sea Tensions

Recent escalation includes stepped-up Russian long-range attacks targeting vessels servicing Ukrainian Black Sea routes. While Russia maintains it only targets ships directly contributing to Ukraine’s war effort, these actions have deterred commercial shipping and restricted Kiev's ability to export commodities like grain and iron. Reports indicate that Ukrainian President Zelensky is now seeking a limited ceasefire in the Black Sea, conveyed through an intermediary, with Turkish officials also advocating for a pause in hostilities.

As Ukraine continues its “pressure campaign” and seeks further Western military assistance, Russia remains steadfast in its rejection of ceasefire proposals and vows to intensify its efforts to disrupt the flow of aid supporting Kiev’s war effort.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.