Russia says it wants to end Ukraine's `unacceptable regime'

KYIV, Ukraine - Russia's top diplomat said Moscow's overarching goal in Ukraine is to free its people from its "unacceptable regime," expressing the Kremlin's war aims in some of the bluntest terms yet as its forces pummel the country with artillery barrages and airstrikes.

The remark from Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov comes amid Ukraine's efforts to resume grain exports from its Black Sea ports -something that would help ease global food shortages - under a new deal tested by a Russian strike on Odesa over the weekend.

"We are determined to help the people of eastern Ukraine to liberate themselves from the burden of this absolutely unacceptable regime," Lavrov said at an Arab League summit in Cairo late Sunday, referring to Ukrainian President Volodymr Zelenskyy's government.

https://www.startribune.com/russia-says-it-wants-to-end-ukraines-unacceptable-regime/600192810/