Key facts
- Russia will continue its war in Ukraine until its territorial demands are met, stated Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
- Moscow no longer trusts Western peace efforts, according to Lavrov.
- Lavrov referenced President Vladimir Putin's June 2024 speech outlining demands for Ukraine.
- Ukraine has rejected these demands, which would require withdrawal from occupied regions and abandonment of NATO ambitions.
- U.S. President Donald Trump recently suggested Putin is ready to end the war.
- Trump held calls with Putin and Zelensky and met with Zelensky at the NATO summit.
Russia has reiterated its maximalist war aims in Ukraine, with Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stating on July 9 that the conflict will continue until Moscow's territorial demands are met. Lavrov also declared that Russia has lost trust in Western peace efforts, a stance that directly contrasts with recent statements from U.S. President Donald Trump, who indicated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is prepared to conclude the war.
Lavrov referenced Putin's June 2024 speech, which outlined conditions for peace including Ukraine's full withdrawal from the partially occupied Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia oblasts, as well as nearly fully occupied Luhansk Oblast. Ukraine must also abandon its NATO aspirations, according to the demands.
Kyiv has rejected these conditions, viewing them as tantamount to surrender, and instead has called for a ceasefire along the current front lines. Lavrov further accused Western nations of "feigning willingness to negotiate," asserting that Russia's "reserve of goodwill and hope has been completely exhausted."
These remarks diverge from Lavrov's statements just weeks prior, when he indicated Russia was ready to resume peace talks "any time" from where they left off. Washington has recently shown renewed interest in diplomatic efforts, which had stalled as Trump's attention shifted to the war in Iran. Trump stated he had spoken with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week. He also met with Zelensky at the NATO summit in Ankara on July 8, where Zelensky said they discussed "ideas to bring peace closer."