The Minister also accused Western countries of trying to “distort the historical truth” and favor the Ukrainian authorities in the widespread imposition of Nazism in its most acute manifestations.

Russia, he noted, values the solidarity of the countries of the Commonwealth of Independent States in the struggle against the glorification of Nazism and falsification of history. Together we will continue to defend the truth about our common past, Belousov stressed.

Russia has been carrying out a special military operation in Ukraine since February 24, 2022, the objectives of which, according to Russian President Vladimir Putin, are to protect the population from genocide by the current authorities in Kiev.

It is also aimed at tackling the national security risks posed by the advance of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) to the east. Last June, Putin outlined a plan for an immediate cease-fire and the start of peace talks with Ukraine that consists of four indispensable conditions.

Thus, the Russian leader made peace conditional on the withdrawal of Kiev’s troops from Russia’s new territories, the Donetsk and Lugansk republics and the provinces of Kherson and Zaporozhye.

He also demanded for this, Ukraine’s renunciation of its plans to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, to maintain its neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear status, as well as the lifting of all Western sanctions against Russia.

ef/jav/mem/gfa