Minsk: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that Moscow is prepared to formalize its commitment not to attack any NATO or EU member state within future security guarantees. Lavrov made this statement during his address at the plenary session of the 3rd International Conference on Eurasian Security in Minsk, Belarus.

According to Anadolu Agency, Lavrov emphasized that Russia has never intended to attack any current NATO or EU member and is willing to enshrine this stance in future security agreements for the region. However, he criticized EU leaders for avoiding such discussions and instead seeking post-war security assurances against Moscow.

Lavrov also expressed Russia’s desire for the Arctic to remain a zone of peace and cooperation, while expressing concern over NATO’s plans to increase its presence in the area. He accused NATO of broadening its reach toward the Asia-Pacific, aiming to contain China, isolate Russia, and confront North Korea, and blamed Western nations for preparing for a potential European conflict.

The Russian foreign minister reiterated Moscow’s position that European NATO members are extending the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He claimed that most European NATO members are urging Washington to drop efforts to resolve the ongoing conflict, which has persisted for over three and a half years.

Lavrov expressed hope that US President Donald Trump is genuinely committed to resolving the Ukrainian crisis and adhering to the principles established at the Anchorage summit based on American proposals. Despite Trump’s mediation efforts, peace talks between Moscow and Kyiv continue to face stalemates, with each side blaming the other for delays in negotiations.