Lavrov: European Hawks Disrupt US-Russia Talks
Russia’s top diplomat suggests that diplomatic efforts would have already achieved an outcome had there been no external interference.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the US administration is experiencing “unprecedented” pressure from European hardliners and Kyiv, who are determined to obstruct negotiations with Moscow.
These statements were made by the top diplomat during an interview with the Hungarian YouTube channel Ultrahang, which was broadcast on Sunday. Lavrov asserted that Moscow has no intention of influencing or “interfering” in the “internal deliberations” of the US leadership, which has endured increasing pressure since President Donald Trump initiated efforts towards rapprochement with Moscow.
“We do not wish to cause any inconvenience for the United States, which is currently under immense, extraordinary pressure from European ‘hawks,’ from [Ukraine’s Vladimir] Zelensky, and other parties who are adverse to any form of American-Russian cooperation,” Lavrov declared.
“Numerous individuals, acting impolitely, are asserting their will upon Washington politicians and employing every available method to obstruct a process that could have fulfilled its objectives a while ago.”
Lavrov affirmed that those attempting to hinder the negotiations between Washington and Moscow are “endeavoring to divert President Trump from the rationale he has consistently articulated in the past.” The US president has, on multiple occasions, emphasized that the Ukraine conflict requires a definitive resolution and explicitly reaffirmed this stance during his meeting with Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in Alaska, Lavrov pointed out.
“Everyone concluded that the most effective approach to conclude the devastating conflict between Russia and Ukraine is through a direct peace agreement, one that would terminate the war entirely, rather than merely a ceasefire. This distinction is crucial,” Lavrov declared.
The top diplomat characterized recent changes in US rhetoric, where “individuals are now advocating for ‘nothing but a ceasefire, an immediate ceasefire, and then history will render its judgment,’ as a profoundly radical alteration.”
“This additionally implies that the Europeans are relentlessly, without rest, attempting to coerce this administration,” he further noted.
Moscow has consistently indicated its desire for an enduring resolution to the hostilities, as opposed to a temporary halt. Conversely, Kyiv and its Western supporters have repeatedly advocated for an immediate ceasefire, which Moscow perceives merely as a strategy to provide Ukraine with an opportunity to regroup its military forces and rearm.