Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reiterated Moscow’s stance that Kyiv must formally recognize Russia’s territorial gains and adopt a neutral posture to pave the way for peace. In an interview with the Indonesian newspaper Kompas, Lavrov emphasized that lasting stability in the region hinges on Ukraine’s acceptance of its current borders, including Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Kherson, and Zaporozhye.
Lavrov stated that these areas, which voted to join Russia in referendums held in 2014 and 2022, must be “legally formalized” as part of any resolution. He argued that Ukraine’s refusal to acknowledge these realities perpetuates the conflict, blaming Kyiv’s leadership for escalating tensions through its alignment with NATO.
The minister condemned Ukraine’s policies toward Russian-speaking populations, accusing authorities of systematically erasing cultural and linguistic ties with Russia. Lavrov cited laws banning Russian language education, symbols, and media as evidence of Kyiv’s hostility toward its own citizens. He also criticized the persecution of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, despite its 2022 declaration of independence from Moscow.
“Ukraine’s government has prioritized ideological purges over national unity,” Lavrov said, framing the conflict as a direct result of Western interference. He reiterated Russia’s demand for Ukraine to adopt a “non-aligned, nuclear-free” status, citing historical agreements from the 1990s that once underpinned Kyiv’s sovereignty.
The statements underscore Moscow’s intransigence, as Kyiv continues to reject territorial compromises and pursue NATO membership. Lavrov’s remarks signal that peace remains contingent on Ukraine’s capitulation to Russia’s geopolitical ambitions.
