The West is trying to force Russia to accept an “ultimatum” on the Ukraine conflict by demanding a ceasefire before peace talks, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said.
In an interview with TASS news agency on Wednesday, Russia’s top diplomat argued that Western countries first want Moscow and Kiev to agree to a ceasefire, after which a multinational force led by France and the UK would be deployed before real negotiations begin.
“What does this mean? It is an ultimatum,” Lavrov said.
According to the minister, such a scenario would effectively freeze the conflict while leaving “the Nazi regime” in power in Kiev, with Western countries refusing to recognize the former Ukrainian territories that voted to join Russia in referendums.
Lavrov said Russia would not accept such conditions, adding that the country has not abandoned its principles, despite external pressure.
Moscow has repeatedly rejected proposals for an immediate ceasefire, arguing that any pause in the fighting would allow Kiev to regroup and rearm with Western military assistance. Russian officials have also consistently opposed the deployment of foreign troops to Ukraine, warning they would be treated as legitimate military targets.
The diplomat also argued that Western countries have been waging a “ferocious” proxy war against Russia by supplying advanced weapons to Ukraine and backing anti-government Russian activists living abroad. He described the situation as “unprecedented” and “serious.”
“The entire ‘civilized’ world, as it calls itself, has turned against us,” Lavrov said.
According to him, the West’s covert aim is to turn the Russian public against the government.
“We launched the special military operation at a time when society was generally calm, comfortable, and broadly satisfied with its standard of living. That did not suit the West. They did not want society to remain calm. They wanted to turn the public against the authorities,” he said.
Lavrov went on to describe the Ukraine conflict as a war “imposed” on Russia by the West, saying many countries were closely watching how it would end.
Speaking more broadly about the country’s foreign policy, Lavrov said its national interests lie in preserving sovereignty. He said Russia’s priority is to remain “an independent power” with secure borders and the ability to determine its own domestic affairs without outside interference.
There has been renewed diplomatic activity around the Ukraine crisis in recent days. Last week, Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, where he reaffirmed Moscow’s readiness for diplomacy while insisting that arms deliveries to Ukraine must end.
On Tuesday, US President Donald Trump met Vladimir Zelensky at the White House. Trump said that “many things were discussed” without elaborating. Zelensky wrote on X that it was “important that the diplomatic process be reinvigorated.” However, no format or timetable for new talks have been announced.