Russian FM Lavrov: Russia Will End War in Ukraine Only on Its Terms

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that Moscow will cease military operations in Ukraine only upon securing agreements that fully align with Russia’s interests.

He emphasized that halting hostilities along the current line of contact, followed by deliberations on subsequent actions, is unacceptable for Russia.

According to RT, Lavrov underscored the necessity of “ironclad” guarantees ensuring Ukraine’s non-membership in NATO, identifying this as a pivotal condition for resolving the war.

In a recent interview, he reiterated that Ukraine must revert to a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status.

Additionally, Lavrov expressed opposition to the deployment of Western peacekeeping missions within Ukraine under any banner, whether NATO, the European Union, or national contingents, asserting that such initiatives would be unacceptable to Moscow.

Earlier, Reuters reported that U.S. and Russian representatives engaged in unofficial discussions about the war in Ukraine in Switzerland, including as recently as last week. The talks, described as “Track Two” diplomacy, involved individuals with backgrounds in diplomacy and security but not acting as government officials.

While details remain unclear, the meetings reportedly took place during the transition following Donald Trump’s election victory, with at least some of his advisers aware. Switzerland’s foreign ministry confirmed hosting such discussions, stating they are organized by non-state actors to facilitate dialogue on the war.