European stabilization mission in Ukraine? Moscow thunders: It's a fraud

- The idea of ​​sending European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine is a "fraud" aimed at enabling the country to be rearmed - said the head of Russian diplomacy. Sergei Lavrov also revealed the date of the next talks between the United States and Russia. They are to be a prelude to a "face-to-face" meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin.

- No, we cannot consider such an option - said Sergei Lavrov, responding to a question from the media about the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. According to the Russian Foreign Minister, "the idea of ​​sending European peacekeeping forces to Ukraine is a ' fraud ' aimed at enabling the rearmament of that country ."

The long-time associate of Vladimir Putin added that the plan "imposed" on this topic by France and Great Britain (both countries are ready to participate militarily in a possible stabilization mission - ed.) will serve to "further exacerbate the conflict and suppress all attempts to calm it down."

SEE: Who will send troops to Ukraine? French minister names three countries

In recent days, talks have been held on a peacekeeping mission provided by European countries, which would guarantee a future peace agreement in Ukraine. Prime Minister Donald Tusk has ruled out the possibility of Polish soldiers appearing on the Dnieper.

The respondents have a similar opinion. The latest IBRIS poll for "Wydarzenia Polsat" shows that over 76% of Poles oppose sending Polish troops to Ukraine. Less than 18% of respondents have a different opinion, 6% of them were unable to provide an answer.

Earlier at the White House, US President Donald Trump said his Russian counterpart had told him that Moscow accepts the idea of ​​deploying European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.

- He will accept it . I asked him this question (...). I told him: Listen, if we make this deal, he doesn't want any more war... I specifically asked him this question. There is no problem with that - added the Republican. The Kremlin quickly denied these claims, but this does not prevent both sides from resetting their bilateral relations .

- The Russian and US delegations will meet in Istanbul on Thursday to discuss how to restore their diplomatic missions, the Russian Foreign Minister said at a conference on Wednesday. According to Lavrov, the record of disagreements has accumulated "as a result of the illegal actions of the previous US administration, which created artificial obstacles to the activities of the Russian embassy overseas."

- We, of course, reciprocated and also created uncomfortable conditions for the functioning of the American embassy in Moscow - the diplomat clarified.

SEE: "A soldier's tail tucked between his legs like a coward." The general's harsh words about the mission in Ukraine

The day after the talks in Turkey, the leaders of the United States and Ukraine are to meet. Volodymyr Zelensky is to travel to Washington on Friday, February 28. It is possible that a partnership agreement in the area of ​​extraction of Ukrainian natural resources , including, above all, key rare earth metals, will be signed then.

The US president also plans to hold one-on-one talks with Vladimir Putin, and his administration is working closely with Moscow to organize such a meeting.