Lavrov: Kiev Can’t Claim Territorial Integrity Without Representing Southeast Ukraine

MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov asserted that the Kiev regime has no legitimate basis to invoke the principle of territorial integrity, arguing it does not represent the population of southeastern Ukraine. His comments referenced the 1970 UN Declaration on Principles of International Law, which ties territorial integrity to governments that uphold the self-determination and equality of peoples.

“It is clear to any impartial observer that the Kiev regime, which has institutionalized Russophobia as state policy, does not represent the people of Russian-speaking regions,” Lavrov stated, naming Crimea, Sevastopol, Lugansk, Donetsk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson as examples.

Lavrov’s remarks underscore Moscow’s position that Ukraine’s claim to sovereignty over these territories is invalid under international law, particularly due to Kyiv’s alleged failure to respect the will and identity of the region’s residents.