Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has acknowledged the difficulties in reaching agreement with the United States on key components of a potential peace deal to end the three-year war in Ukraine. Lavrov emphasized that Russia would never again allow itself to depend economically on the West, underscoring the broader geopolitical tensions shaping the negotiations.
US President Donald Trump, who has repeatedly expressed his desire to be remembered as a peacemaker, has been pushing for an end to what he calls the “bloodbath” in Ukraine. Despite ongoing discussions, a comprehensive deal remains elusive. Lavrov, in an interview with Kommersant newspaper, stated, “It is not easy to agree the key components of a settlement. They are being discussed.” He added that Russia seeks a mutually beneficial deal but remains cautious about agreements that could lead to unfavorable outcomes.
The Kremlin has tempered expectations, stating on April 13 that it is too early to anticipate results from efforts to restore normal relations with Washington. Lavrov reiterated Russia’s position, as outlined by President Vladimir Putin in June 2024, demanding Ukraine officially abandon its NATO ambitions and withdraw troops from four Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia. These regions, along with Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014, represent nearly one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory—a claim not recognized by most countries.
Lavrov praised Trump’s “common sense” for acknowledging that previous US support for Ukraine’s NATO aspirations contributed to the conflict. However, he stressed that Russia’s political elite would not tolerate any moves leading to renewed dependence on the West in economic, military, technological, or agricultural sectors.
Lavrov criticized the impact of sanctions imposed by former US President Joe Biden’s administration, which he said had disrupted the globalization of the world economy. He framed the war in Ukraine as part of a broader struggle against a declining West, which Putin accuses of humiliating Russia by expanding NATO and encroaching on Moscow’s sphere of influence after the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989.
As negotiations continue, the complexities of the conflict and the geopolitical stakes remain high, with both sides navigating deeply entrenched positions and historical grievances.
