Lavrov says Russia's goal in Ukraine is to oust Zelenskyy

Mr Lavrov accused Kiev and “its Western allies” of spouting propaganda intended to ensure that Ukraine “becomes the eternal enemy of Russia”

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov addresses the Arab League organization in Cairo, Egypt, Sunday, July 24, 2022. (Russian Foreign Ministry Press Service via AP/PA)

Russia’s top diplomat has said Moscow’s overarching goal is to topple the government of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as Russian artillery barrages and air strikes continue to pummel cities across Ukraine.

The remark from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov comes amid Ukraine’s efforts to resume grain exports from its Black Sea ports, something that would help ease global food shortages, under a new deal tested by a Russian strike on Odesa over the weekend.