Overview

• Speaking at the UN and in a press briefing, Sergei Lavrov said expecting a return to Ukraine’s 2022 borders would be “political blindness” and that “no one counts on them anymore.”
• Lavrov asserted there is “no talk about the 2022 borders,” casting Russia’s position as a settled negotiating baseline.
• He blamed Ukraine for Russia’s control of territories since 2014, claiming Kyiv failed to honor agreements with Moscow.
• He said negotiations over Ukraine’s security guarantees should be based on protecting Russia’s interests and the rights of Russians in Ukraine.
• Lavrov indicated Moscow is pinning hopes on continued U.S.–Russia consultations, with a third round on “bilateral irritants” planned for the autumn, days after President Trump said Ukraine could regain all its territory with EU support.