Lavrov Condemns Ukraine, Details Russian Retaliation in Post-Fidan Meeting

Moscow, May 27, 2025 – Following a meeting with his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addressed the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov characterized certain Ukrainian actions as "terror" and justified Russia's retaliatory strikes as targeting only military objectives and Ukrainian-controlled infrastructure. He stated, "Our retaliatory strikes were absolutely necessary in this situation. The criminal must be punished." The meeting also covered broader geopolitical issues and bilateral cooperation between Russia and Turkey. Turkey's role in mediating the conflict was acknowledged by Lavrov, who expressed gratitude for Ankara's efforts. The video footage from the press conference showed Lavrov and Fidan engaged in serious discussion, highlighting the gravity of the situation. While the video's perspective is clearly aligned with the Russian government's narrative, the event itself is significant and warrants reporting.