Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized that Moscow is committed to achieving a lasting peace with Ukraine, rejecting calls for an immediate ceasefire and instead advocating for addressing the “root causes” of the conflict. Lavrov’s remarks came in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent push for a halt to hostilities along current front lines, which he described as a temporary measure that would not resolve underlying issues.

Lavrov reiterated Russia’s position that a sustainable peace requires Ukraine to accept neutrality, demilitarization, and recognition of territorial changes, while condemning the Ukrainian leadership’s refusal to engage with these conditions. He criticized Washington’s insistence on an immediate ceasefire, stating such an approach would ignore the conflict’s root causes and fail to deliver lasting stability.

The foreign minister highlighted that Russia’s stance aligns with agreements reached during talks between Putin and Trump in Alaska, where both leaders reportedly endorsed a long-term peace solution. Lavrov also dismissed U.S. demands for an immediate pause, calling them inconsistent with efforts to resolve the conflict.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has repeatedly called for an immediate ceasefire while refusing to make territorial concessions or comply with Russia’s conditions, according to the statement. The Russian government has consistently framed temporary pauses as beneficial to Ukrainian forces and their Western allies, arguing that only a comprehensive settlement can end the war.