Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has said that reaching a peace agreement to end the war in Ukraine remains challenging, particularly in discussions with the United States, and emphasized that Russia will not allow itself to become economically dependent on the West again.
In an interview with Kommersant, Lavrov acknowledged ongoing discussions but admitted that “it’s not easy to agree on the key elements of a deal,” referring to negotiations reportedly involving the U.S. and Russia on terms to end the three-year conflict.
U.S. President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to be remembered as a peacemaker, has stated his intention to end the “bloodshed” in Ukraine. However, no final agreement has yet been reached, according to Reuters.
“We are aware of what a mutually beneficial agreement looks like—one we have never rejected—and we also know what a deal that could lead us into a trap looks like,” Lavrov noted.
The Kremlin recently reiterated that it is too early to expect progress in the normalization of relations with Washington.
Lavrov further clarified Russia’s position, as outlined by President Vladimir Putin in June 2024, when he demanded that Ukraine abandon its NATO membership ambitions and withdraw its troops from four occupied regions claimed by Moscow.
As diplomatic efforts continue behind closed doors, hopes for a breakthrough remain uncertain amid hardened positions and strategic red lines on both sides.
