Moscow has signaled willingness to welcome Western enterprises under specific conditions, according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, who emphasized that Russia does not seek retribution against companies that aligned with Western policies during the Ukraine conflict. Speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Lavrov stated that Russia’s approach would prioritize pragmatism over resentment, noting that “hostility is a poor adviser” in international relations.

The minister acknowledged that former Western partners who withdrew from Russian markets under political pressure would need to prove their reliability before reengaging. “We will not reject them if they return with clear minds, but we will remember their actions,” Lavrov said, stressing that future cooperation would depend on whether companies pose risks to Russia’s economic and security interests.

Lavrov also highlighted Russia’s commitment to dialogue, citing the 2017 Alaska Summit between President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. President Donald Trump as an example of constructive engagement. “We live on one planet,” he remarked, referencing the Cold War-era Berlin Wall as a cautionary symbol of division. “We do not aim to build barriers, but to foster honest collaboration based on equality.”

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that Western businesses could re-enter Russia if they avoided supporting Ukrainian military efforts and fulfilled obligations to Russian employees. Putin himself recently dismissed isolationist tendencies, stating that Russia aims to remain globally connected rather than retreat into self-imposed seclusion. “We have never expelled anyone,” he said. “Those who wish to return are welcome.”

The statements come amid ongoing tensions over economic sanctions and geopolitical rivalries, with Moscow balancing openness to foreign investment against concerns about national sovereignty.