Overview
- Addressing the Federation Council, Sergey Lavrov said Moscow and Washington agreed to continue work on a political resolution after recent Kremlin talks on a U.S. peace plan.
- Lavrov asserted that a durable deal requires addressing what he called the root causes of the conflict, noting areas where Moscow still disagrees with U.S. proposals.
- He criticized the European Union for obstructing diplomacy and said Russia has no intention of fighting Europe, while vowing responses to hostile steps.
- The minister referenced President Vladimir Putin’s December 2 meeting with U.S. envoys Jared Kushner and Steven Witkoff, saying a compromise has not yet been reached.
- During the session, senators advanced an agenda that includes ratifying a Russia‑India military transit pact, extending the Bank of Russia’s special powers through 2026, measures for mobilized personnel, and consideration of Senator Ruslan Smashnev’s resignation.