Russia’s military operations in Ukraine will continue until the rights of its compatriots in the neighboring country are fully guaranteed, said Kirill Logvinov, head of the Russian diplomatic mission to the EU. In an interview he gave to “K”, answering our written questions, the Russian diplomat states that the overthrow of Vladimir Zelensky is not among the goals of Moscow, he believes that the United States and its allies are leading to an escalation of the conflict and claims that a return to what -something of normality in relations with the EU. – Russia demands that the security guarantees requested by Moscow be provided.

Speaking about the war, as you describe it, in Ukraine, instead of asking us, it would be better if you addressed the question to Kyiv and its supporters, including in the EU. and its member states. Efforts have been made over the past year to get Zelensky to the negotiating table. However, judging by the escalation fueled by both the Ukrainian president and Western countries that are helping him in every possible way, Kyiv is not interested in this. Russia’s special operation will end when the Russians living in Ukraine are absolutely sure that they and their children will be able to speak their native language, just as the Greeks can speak Greek fluently.

– It was a forced decision. In recent years and months, the trust we have placed in the West, which has not fulfilled its obligations, has evaporated. We once believed in the promise that NATO was not going to expand to the East. At the time, Western countries assured us that they would respond to Russia’s security concerns. It was later reported that they were working with Zelensky to implement the Minsk agreements. However, this turned out to be empty words. In fact, they did not want to listen to us, Russian proposals for security guarantees were ignored. I wonder exactly how you perceive the immediate threat. Shouldn’t we be concerned that NATO has been on our borders for some time now?

– I have to disappoint you, all of the above is not the purpose of the special operation. And we are certainly not in the business of overthrowing governments in third countries. Russia’s actions are dictated by the need to defend the security of the state, ensure the rights of Russian speakers in Ukraine and protect the civilian population of Donbass. For more than eight years, residents of Donbass have been bombed daily, the Russian language and culture have been banned in Ukraine. For some reason, the West didn’t care. The main difference is, as we see it: you are talking about the annexation of Donbass, and for the residents of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, this expresses their conscious choice to live in security within the Russian Federation.

– Tell me, please, when did the EU member states not follow the Americans, did they not feel relieved by sharing their national sovereignty with the US? The saddest thing is that the EU. offers unlimited political, economic and military support to Ukraine, and quite deliberately, and not out of fear of displeasure of its transatlantic partner. By abandoning Nord Stream 2, Germany endangers its national interests – we do not comment on the decisions of other states. If this is a failure, then it does not belong to us, but to Europe. In principle, we see no logic in the policy that the EU is currently following.

Russia’s actions are dictated by the need to protect the security of the state and protect the rights of Russian speakers.

– The concern of the Russian leadership for the security, progress and well-being of its citizens is not measured, as you put it, by the number of its friends and allies in Europe. Russia does not see the globe divided into the Western world and the Eastern world. We work and will continue to work with those who are ready to develop equal and mutually beneficial relations with us. Those who yesterday asked for our friendship and today join the chorus of those who desire a strategic defeat for our country are an obstacle to our long-term development.

– The question is rhetorical. The West by all means wants a further escalation of the conflict. Many rightly wonder why the US and the EU do not stop the supply of weapons, which would automatically end the conflict. Simply because they are not interested.

“We have never threatened anyone with nuclear weapons. The West cites the perceived possibility that Russia will use weapons of mass destruction to provoke us into a response and put pressure on states that refuse to accept the version they are trying to impose on them about the origin and development of the Ukrainian crisis. Russia is fully aware of its responsibility as a nuclear power.

– If the current actions of the West against Russia are perceived as a war, then there is no reason to return to the previous situation. If normality means that the EU takes into account its own national interests, including security guarantees, then, of course, we will be ready for negotiations with the West. At the same time, Russia’s proposals to build a security architecture that meets our legitimate interests should not be taken as a prerequisite.

– Greece must understand that actions directed against Russia already today have a very serious impact on Russia’s perception of the EU. and its member states. We need to draw conclusions and develop a realistic vision of the type of our future engagement with the EU. Instead of looking for ways to “fix” relations, the West should try to listen to what Russia has to say.