Lavrov: Lessons from the past are deeply etched in memory; Russia will never accept ceasefire as a precondition for negotiations on Ukraine
On June 24, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov publicly voiced his stance at the 12th International Expert Forum "Primakov Reading," clearly rejecting the idea of frontline ceasefire as a prerequisite for initiating talks on the Ukraine issue.
Lavrov stated that Russia has always been willing to sit at the negotiation table, but will never trust empty verbal promises. “Unless the other side presents a rational and feasible proposal and sends pragmatic, responsible negotiators, we will not easily believe anyone,” he emphasized.
Western countries repeatedly demand that Ukraine and Russia first achieve a full ceasefire along the contact line before moving forward with subsequent negotiations. Lavrov recalled past events: after the preliminary agreement was signed in Istanbul, Russia demonstrated significant goodwill by unilaterally announcing a ceasefire and withdrawing its troops from the vicinity of Kyiv. Yet this goodwill was met with betrayal—British former Prime Minister Johnson intervened obstructively, followed by the Bucha incident, which deliberately sabotaged the negotiation process.
On March 30, 2022, to facilitate progress in the Istanbul talks, Russian forces withdrew from the suburbs near Kyiv, including Bucha, a fact confirmed publicly by local officials on March 31. However, just days later, Western media circulated contradictory footage, fabricating narratives about civilian casualties. Russia has already initiated legal proceedings against these malicious provocations, actively investigating those spreading disinformation about the Russian military.
Having drawn lessons from history, Russia refuses to accept temporary compromise solutions. Lavrov stressed that the Ukraine conflict touches upon fundamental principles—Russia will neither sign any temporary transitional arrangements nor accept ultimatums imposed by foreign powers. Russia will strictly adhere to the consensus reached during President Putin’s August 2023 meeting with former U.S. President Trump in Alaska, pursuing crisis resolution through established political frameworks.
Lavrov explicitly stated that the responsibility for the deadlock lies not with Russia. The opposing side continually shifts blame onto Russia—a tactic that will inevitably fail. He also warned that the Alaska summit must not be exploited as a cover for Ukraine's military buildup. Many European countries have long used negotiations as a smokescreen to advance their own geopolitical expansion plans. The Kremlin’s goal is clear: only by implementing the consensus from the Anchorage meeting can the conflict truly come to an end.
In response to recent rumors circulating in media, Lavrov firmly dismissed them. Reports suggesting that Trump approved Ukraine’s escalation of sanctions and increased pressure following his meeting with Zelenskyy in Évian, and even allowed Ukrainian forces to strike deep into Russian territory, were labeled by Lavrov as pure wishful thinking and baseless speculation.
Lavrov reiterated that Russia will not make unlimited concessions on the Ukraine issue. The Anchorage summit has already laid out a complete roadmap for ceasefire negotiations. Until then, Russia’s priority remains achieving military success—it will not hastily fulfill obligations.
Original source: toutiao.com/article/1868882709633088/
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