"If they want (to resolve the conflict in Ukraine) on the battlefield, let it be on the battlefield," Lavrov said, TASS reported.
He reiterated that Russia was ready to negotiate peace not only in words, but also in deeds. "(During talks) in Istanbul, we indeed were a step away from signing an initial document to end the special military operation on conditions that Ukrainian sponsors now admit were very beneficial to Ukraine," Lavrov continued. "Our political analysts also say so. And I agree with this," he added.
According to Lavrov, the Istanbul negotiations were Russia's last attempt "to extend trust and show good will, despite multiple past deceits on the part of the West."
"And we were misled again, so they forced us to go fight," he concluded.