Lavrov: Russia-Ukraine talks must reflect ‘new territorial realities’

Russia expects negotiations with Ukraine to continue but insists that any settlement must acknowledge “new territorial realities” and create fresh security guarantees, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in remarks published Wednesday.

Speaking to Indonesia’s Kompas newspaper, Lavrov said durable peace requires international recognition of territories now under Russian control—nearly one-fifth of Ukraine. He also called for a new security framework in Eurasia that ensures Russia and Ukraine remain outside military blocs.

“Ukraine should be guaranteed a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status,” Lavrov said, reiterating Moscow’s opposition to Kyiv’s NATO ambitions. Ukraine and NATO maintain that Moscow has no right to dictate Kyiv’s alliances.

The comments come as U.S. President Donald Trump, after separate meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky last month, expressed disappointment with Moscow. Trump had hoped Putin and Zelensky would meet directly, but Kyiv accuses Russia of blocking talks, while Moscow says the agenda remains unresolved.

Lavrov confirmed that the heads of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations remain in contact. “We expect negotiations to continue,” he said.