MOSCOW: The war in Ukraine cannot be stopped without addressing the root causes of the conflict, the Russian foreign minister said on Wednesday. Speaking at a joint press conference with his Kyrgyz counterpart Jeenbek Kulubaev in Moscow, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow had briefed Bishkek on the latest developments surrounding the war.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lavrov emphasized Russia's commitment to achieving the goals of its 'special military operation' and the importance of resolving the conflict by focusing on its root causes. He noted that there is a growing understanding, including in Europe and the United States, that addressing these causes is essential to ending the conflict.

Lavrov further highlighted the necessity for 'reliable, legally binding agreements' that include mechanisms to prevent violations. He also expressed Russia's appreciation for the political dialogue with Kyrgyzstan and reiterated Moscow's readiness to support Bishkek during its chairmanship of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

The CSTO is a military alliance comprising Russia and former Soviet states: Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Tajikistan. Kyrgyzstan assumed the CSTO chairmanship on January 1.