In an interview with Russian state agency RIA Novosti, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov claimed that shortly before a meeting between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin in Alaska, the United States allegedly assured Moscow it could ensure that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky “would not prevent the achievement of peace.”
“Apparently, certain difficulties have arisen on this issue. Moreover, as far as we know, Brussels and London are trying to persuade Washington to abandon plans to resolve the crisis by political and diplomatic means and to fully engage in efforts to exert military pressure on Russia - that is, to finally become part of the ‘party of war,’” the Russian minister said.
He added that Moscow is now waiting for the United States to confirm that the “Anchorage understandings” remain in effect.
“At the same time, I emphasize despite their essentially compromise nature, we have not abandoned and are not abandoning points that are fundamental for us. And the Americans understand that,” he said.
According to Lavrov, “no one questions Russia’s territorial integrity” or “the choice of residents of Crimea, Donbas and ‘Novorossiya,’” which Russia claims it legally annexed on the basis of sham referendums in 2014 and 2022.
He added that, for “obvious reasons,” Moscow would not disclose details of its discussions with the American side regarding the war in Ukraine, but said Russia does not intend to end the war “without taking into account Russian interests and eradicating its causes.”
Asked about Crimea’s status, Lavrov said the issue was decided by a referendum in March 2014, so “the question of the peninsula’s ownership is closed.”
Earlier, Lavrov said Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin, during his meeting with Trump in Alaska, allegedly confirmed readiness to end the war in Ukraine based on a US concept.
Before that, Russian officials said their position had changed regarding halting the war along the current line of contact - a concept the Kremlin does not support.
