The UK has stressed multiple times it will not send boots on the ground in Ukraine before a peace deal is struck between the invaded country and Russia, its aggressor.

09:29, Thu, Mar 5, 2026 Updated: 11:10, Thu, Mar 5, 2026

Sergey Lavrov

Sergey Lavrov is Russia's foreign minister (Image: Getty)

One of Vladimir Putin's closest ally in the Russian Government has claimed the closest allies of Ukraine in the West are waging a "direct, hot" war at Russia. This is despite Britain, France and other allies of Kyiv stressing over the past four years they are not in a conflict with the country and pledging not to send boots on the Ukrainian ground until a peace deal is struck, to avoid NATO being dragged into the unlawful war ordered by Putin in 2022.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stressed that Ukraine is being prepared to become anti-Russia. He said: "And it has become the spearhead of the West's hybrid war, but recently not only a hybrid war, but a direct, 'hot' war of the West against the Russian Federation."

RUSSIA-POLITICS-GOVERNMENT

Western countries are waging a direct "hot" war against Russia (Image: Getty)

Lavrov maintained that the West, using the Ukrainian authorities as its proxy, is pursuing a strategy designed to bring about Russia’s strategic defeat. He emphasised that finding a resolution to the Ukrainian crisis stands as Russia’s primary focus in its foreign policy.

Meanwhile. Iran’s Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi held a telephone discussion with Russia’s Sergey Lavrov on Wednesday, focusing on the evolving regional situation and the effects of recent military actions targeting Iran.

Lavrov used the call to express condolences for the loss of Iran’s Supreme Leader, high‑ranking military figures, and other civilians killed in US and Israeli strikes.

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He emphasised that these attacks violate core principles of international law and the UN Charter, warning that such actions carry serious implications for both regional and global stability.

Araghchi expressed appreciation for Lavrov’s condolences and went on to describe the latest developments, accusing the United States and Israel of committing grave abuses against the Iranian population, including strikes on homes, schools, mosques, hospitals, and emergency service centers.