Lavrov: We do not stop military operation before new talks

Speaking in an interview for Russian state television, Lavrov said President Putin had ordered that military shares be suspended during the first round of Russian-Ukrainian talks, Reuters reports.

Moscow's position has changed since then, he said, adding that he did not have reason to continue talks with Ukraine, but initiated that Moscow would not stop the military operation when the parties meet again.

After we became convinced that Ukrainians are not planning to co-operate, we decided that during the new round of talks, there will be no suspension so long until a final agreement is reached”, Lavrov added.