Moscow: Russia announced on Tuesday that US President Donald Trump and his administration have adopted a more profound strategy to address the ongoing Ukraine conflict after last week's summit with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. 'President Trump and his team, especially after the meeting in Alaska, have taken a much deeper approach to resolving this crisis, understanding that it is necessary to eliminate the root causes, which we, President Putin, have constantly talked about,' stated Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on state TV channel Rossiya-24.
According to Anadolu Agency, Lavrov highlighted the positive atmosphere during the Alaska discussions, which was evident in the statements made by both leaders post-summit, as reported by state news agency RIA and other Russian media. Although the topic of lifting sanctions on Moscow was not addressed, Lavrov noted that Russia remains open to any discussion formats regarding a settlement in Ukraine, whether bilateral or trilateral. He emphasized the necessity for careful preparation of any high-level official talks.
Lavrov described the meeting as a 'useful conversation' and asserted that it is 'clear' Trump and his team are genuinely aiming for a long-term, sustainable, and reliable resolution. He pointed out the divergence between the US and European positions, with the latter focusing solely on a ceasefire while continuing to supply arms to Ukraine. Lavrov criticized European leaders' comments alleging an unprovoked Russian attack on Ukraine, dismissing them as "childish babble."
Furthermore, the Russian foreign minister suggested that territorial changes are often essential in reaching agreements, accusing Europe of maintaining an "arrogant attitude" towards resolving the Ukraine crisis. He stressed that any agreements must respect Russia's interests and the rights of Russians.
The summit in Alaska lasted three hours, during which both Trump and Putin expressed optimism about the outcomes, with Putin mentioning an "understanding" had been reached and Trump lauding the talks as making 'great progress.'