Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said he hopes the United States will refrain from taking steps that could further escalate the war in Ukraine, according to comments published by Russian state news agency TASS late Wednesday.
In the interview, originally conducted with Italy’s Corriere della Sera but not published by the newspaper, Lavrov said U.S. President Donald Trump had consistently advocated dialogue with Moscow and sought to understand Russia’s position on the conflict.
“We are counting on common sense and that the maintaining of that position will prevail in Washington and that they will refrain from actions that could escalate the conflict to a new level,” Lavrov was quoted as saying.
Lavrov claimed that Trump recognized one of Russia’s key grievances, NATO’s continued enlargement and the deployment of military infrastructure near Russian borders. “In essence, that is what President Vladimir Putin and Russia have been warning about for the last 20 years,” he said.
The Russian minister’s remarks come after months of diplomatic exchanges between Washington and Moscow. Trump and Putin last met in Alaska in August, while Lavrov spoke by phone with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on October 20 to discuss a possible new summit.
However, Trump later announced the cancellation of the meeting.
Trump has publicly supported calls for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, urging both sides to hold positions along current front lines. Moscow, however, insists that any settlement must involve Kyiv relinquishing additional territory under Russian control.
Lavrov also accused European nations of undermining peace efforts and worsening tensions. “Europe is sabotaging all peacemaking efforts and rejecting direct contacts with Moscow.
They introduce new sanctions that boomerang on their own economies. They are openly preparing for a new major European war against Russia,” he said.
The European Union, which has denounced Russia’s actions as “hybrid warfare,” last month adopted its 19th sanctions package targeting Moscow.
EU leaders are also exploring ways to raise additional funds for Ukraine, including through loans or the use of frozen Russian assets.
Lavrov said Russia remains open to resuming dialogue with Europe “when this Russophobic frenzy passes,” but added that for now, Moscow sees little willingness from the West to pursue genuine peace.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
