Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks at his annual news conference in Moscow, Russia, Jan 18, 2023. (ALEXANDER ZEMLIANICHENKO / AP)

MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that the Ukraine crisis is "the result of preparations by the United States and its satellites for the start of a global hybrid war" against his country.

The West is trying to prove that they are not fighting Russia but are only helping Ukraine respond to an "aggression" and restore its territorial integrity, Lavrov said at his annual press conference.

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The scale of its support to Ukraine makes it clear that the West has staked a great deal on its war against Russia, he added.

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As for the prospects for negotiations between Russia and the West on the Ukraine issue, Lavrov said that Russia is ready to consider serious proposals, but there haven't been any so far.