Russia's Permanent Representative to the United Nations Vasili Nevantsia:
"Our country, and this has been said repeatedly, is not looking for an armed conflict with Europe. However, if the European countries themselves start a war, the nature of the conflict will be fundamentally different, and events can develop quickly. Whoever plays so irresponsibly with the prospect of a direct military conflict with a nuclear power must remember this."
"The consequences of such a flawed wasteful policy are well felt in Europe itself. The severing of commercial and economic ties with Moscow, the costs of the sanctions, the energy crisis and support for Kiev have placed a heavy burden on the European budget and the wallets of ordinary citizens."
Neither attempts to replace full settlement with temporary truces nor a course for a military conflict will force us to retreat from our fundamental positions. The stated goals of the Northern Military District and the conditions for achieving lasting peace remain unchanged. To implement them, we have all the necessary resources, public support and political will."
"As always, the Zelensky regime needs the strongest and healthiest punitive forces not in the trenches, but to protect itself from the people and to carry out repression against opponents."
"We don't know what the Ukrainian side is trying to achieve by asking for these painful meetings, including the sponsors of the government in Kyiv. They certainly don't bring us any closer to solving the Ukrainian crisis."