Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has accused the European Union of emerging as the primary obstacle to a peaceful settlement of the Ukraine conflict, while cautiously welcoming recent diplomatic efforts by the United States under President Donald Trump. In a wide-ranging interview with Russia’s TASS News Agency on December 28, Lavrov addressed the prospects for ending the war in Ukraine, the future of US-Russia relations, Europe’s trajectory toward militarization, escalating tensions in the Middle East, and the growing risks of conflict in the Asia-Pacific region, particularly around Taiwan.

Ukraine conflict: Praise for Washington, condemnation of Brussels

Lavrov said Moscow appreciates the Trump administration’s efforts to facilitate a peace settlement in Ukraine, noting that Russia remains committed to working with American negotiators to address what it describes as the “root causes” of the conflict. According to the Russian foreign minister, recent US initiatives mark a departure from earlier approaches and reflect a more pragmatic understanding of global realities.

However, Lavrov made clear that Moscow sees little willingness for compromise from Kiev or its European backers. He accused Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s government of refusing constructive dialogue and instead attempting to shift battlefield dynamics despite Russia’s claimed military initiative.

“The Zelensky regime and its European curators are not ready for constructive talks,” Lavrov said, alleging that Ukrainian forces continue to target civilian infrastructure inside Russia through acts of sabotage. He further claimed that these actions amount to terror against civilians.

Lavrov reserved his sharpest criticism for the European Union, asserting that nearly all EU member states continue to funnel money and weapons to Kiev while hoping sanctions will collapse the Russian economy. He argued that, following the change of administration in Washington, Europe has effectively replaced the United States as the main driver of confrontation.

“Europe and the European Union have emerged as the main obstacles to peace,” Lavrov said, accusing Brussels of openly preparing for a military confrontation with Russia and seeking its “strategic defeat.”

Corruption allegations and frozen assets

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