Sergei Lavrov rejects immediate Ukraine ceasefire

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has rejected the possibility of an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, stating that hostilities can only end through a ‘long-term and sustainable settlement’ that meets Russian interests. Lavrov warned that Moscow will employ ‘much harsher methods’ to target Western support for Kyiv, suggesting an intensification of strikes against infrastructure and supply lines linked to Western military aid.

Regarding diplomacy, Lavrov noted that while Russia does not refuse dialogue with envoys of U.S. President Donald Trump, such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, the outcome will depend on the substance of their proposals.

Addressing Turkey's role, Lavrov acknowledged Ankara's offers to mediate but noted that Turkey's NATO membership forces it to consider obligations to the bloc. He suggested that Turkey's desire for EU membership is unlikely to be realized and that its NATO alignment creates unavoidable tensions with Russia. Additionally, Lavrov requested clarification from the U.S. State Department regarding American involvement in strikes deep within Russian territory against political targets.