Russia's Foreign Minister reaffirmed Moscow's demand that negotiations cannot begin unless Ukraine relinquishes its sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Russia's similar "comprehensive" agreement with North Korea, which included mutual defense provisions, offers a blueprint for what this new partnership might entail.
Russian FM Lavrov's latest diplomatic engagements aim to shape international peace mediation efforts in Russia's war in Ukraine, while demonstrating Russia's unwillingness for good-faith negotiations, according to ISW.
ISW reports Russia likely to use its one-month UNSC presidency, which began July 1, for power projection, citing historical use of the position and veto power for influence.
A trilogy of diplomatic debacles left Russian officials sputtering blindly at global forums from Skopje to London as Ukraine directed a masterclass in multilateral marginalization.
Ukrainian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Oleh Nikolenko said that "the presence of Russia's delegation there would only worsen the crisis Russia caused within the OSCE."