Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov reiterated on Wednesday that any resolution to the conflict with Ukraine must eliminate its root causes, including perceived threats from NATO expansion, while condemning the “Kiev regime” for undermining peace talks.

In an interview with Indonesia’s Kompas, Lavrov emphasized Moscow’s commitment to diplomatic solutions, stating that direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine remains active. He cited recent negotiations in Istanbul, where both sides achieved limited progress, such as prisoner exchanges and repatriation of fallen soldiers. However, he accused the “Kiev regime” of abandoning earlier agreements, claiming Western influence led Kyiv to prioritize war over peace.

“The heads of delegations continue direct contact, but the outcome depends on the willingness of the Kiev regime to engage constructively,” Lavrov said, without specifying future talks. He criticized the Ukrainian leadership for rejecting a peace treaty “after being pressured by its Western allies,” a move he framed as a deliberate refusal to end hostilities.

Lavrov also reiterated Russia’s opposition to NATO’s eastward expansion, calling it an existential threat to Moscow’s security. He dismissed previous suggestions of Western guarantees for Ukraine, arguing they must not be one-sided or aimed at isolating Russia. The minister stressed that any lasting agreement requires dismantling “NATO’s aggressive ambitions” and establishing new security frameworks.

The Kremlin has previously accused Western leaders of interfering in the conflict, including former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, who denied allegations of derailing peace efforts. Lavrov’s comments underscore Russia’s stance that Ukraine’s leadership, rather than Moscow, bears responsibility for prolonging the war.