Lavrov's Two Conditions for Lasting Peace

Although negotiations with Ukraine continue, Russia demands that "new territorial realities" be recognized for peace to be lasting. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in a new interview, as reported by Reuters. He also called for the creation of a "new system of security guarantees."

The war in Ukraine has been ongoing since Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the invasion in February 2022. U.S. President Donald Trump, who met with Putin and Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky last month in an attempt to end the war, said on Tuesday that he was "very disappointed" with the Russian leader.

In a new interview with the Indonesian newspaper Kompas, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov confirmed that the heads of the Russian and Ukrainian delegations are still in direct contact regarding peace negotiations.

– We expect the negotiations to continue, said Lavrov.

Demanded "New System of Security Guarantees"

However, he emphasized several demands.

– For peace to be lasting, the new territorial realities must be recognized and formalized in international law, said Lavrov.

Currently, Russian troops control nearly one-fifth of Ukraine's territory. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly stated that it is unacceptable for Ukraine to give up parts of its territory to end the war.

Lavrov also demanded the creation of a "new system of security guarantees" for both Russia and Ukraine. He argued that Ukraine must have a "neutral, non-aligned, and nuclear-free status," a reference to Russian opposition to Ukrainian NATO membership.

Both Kyiv and NATO have previously stated that Russia has no right to dictate the terms regarding what Ukraine can or cannot join.