Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he hoped Washington would avoid any actions that could further escalate the war in Ukraine, voicing cautious optimism about continued dialogue under U.S. President Donald Trump. His remarks were published late Wednesday by Russia’s TASS news agency after the Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera reportedly declined to run the interview.
Lavrov’s Remarks
Lavrov praised Trump for having “advocated dialogue with Russia” and showing “a commitment to finding a sustainable peaceful solution” to the Ukraine conflict.
“We are counting on common sense,” Lavrov said, “that Washington will refrain from actions that could escalate the conflict to a new level.”
He claimed Trump understood Moscow’s long-standing security concerns regarding NATO’s expansion and the deployment of its infrastructure near Russian borders.
“That is what President Putin and Russia have been warning about for the last 20 years,” Lavrov said.
Diplomatic Contacts and Stalled Talks
Lavrov noted that Trump and President Vladimir Putin had met in Alaska in August, and that he had held a follow-up call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 20 to explore a potential new summit. Trump, however, later cancelled the idea, though he continues to back an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine with both sides holding current positions a proposal Moscow supports only if Kyiv cedes more territory.
Criticism of Europe
Lavrov accused European governments of obstructing peace efforts and worsening tensions with Moscow.
“Europe is sabotaging all peacemaking efforts,” he said, accusing EU leaders of “openly preparing for a new major European war against Russia.”
He added that Russia would only consider resuming dialogue with Europe “when this Russophobic frenzy passes.”
European officials, meanwhile, have dismissed such rhetoric, accusing Moscow of hybrid warfare against democratic institutions. The European Union recently approved its 19th sanctions package targeting Russia and is exploring ways to channel frozen Russian assets toward funding Ukraine’s defense and reconstruction.
Why It Matters
Lavrov’s comments come as U.S. and European positions on the Ukraine conflict show subtle divergence with Washington pushing for renewed diplomacy and Europe doubling down on sanctions. Moscow’s messaging seeks to exploit those divisions while positioning itself as open to talks under terms favorable to Russia.
With information from Reuters.
