Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov Claims Trump Under Pressure from NATO and EU to Prolong War

Kokcha News Agency – Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) Foreign Ministers’ Meeting in Tianjin, China, addressed the ongoing tensions between Russia and the West, particularly focusing on the situation in Ukraine.

Lavrov commented on U.S. President Donald Trump’s recent statement giving Russia 50 days to reach an agreement with Ukraine, stating, “Moscow is curious about what President Trump meant by this 50-day deadline. The U.S. President is under pressure from NATO and EU countries that want to prolong the war. Anti-Russian sanctions will eventually backfire on those who imposed them.”

Lavrov recalled that similar deadlines had been set in the past, such as 24-hour and 100-day ultimatums, and expressed a desire to understand the reasoning behind Trump’s latest move. He criticized the EU and NATO leaders for their aggressive stance, accusing them of pushing Ukraine towards conflict by supplying advanced weapons and supporting President Volodymyr Zelensky’s demands.

**“Sanctions Will Backfire”**
Regarding the new sanctions proposed by Trump, Lavrov stated, “Russia will cope with the new sanctions. The sanctions imposed on us are already unprecedented. We are enduring them, and I have no doubt that we will continue to overcome them. The architects of these sanctions will eventually harm themselves. There is a saying: ‘The pit you dig for others, you fall into yourself.’ The sanctions package prepared by Brussels and the efforts to drag the U.S. into this sanction spiral have already caused significant damage to the European economy.”

“Dialogue is Always Possible”
On the topic of Russia-Ukraine negotiations, Lavrov emphasized that SCO member states support Russia’s efforts to eliminate the root causes of the conflict and protect the legitimate rights of Russian-speaking minorities in Ukraine. He also criticized Kiev for disregarding the Istanbul format of negotiations, stating, “If Kiev believes that the Istanbul format is no longer valid, it is another sign that the leadership is ignoring the well-being of its own people. The draft memorandums presented by Russia and Ukraine are like opposite poles, but there is always a chance for dialogue.”

“Europe is Preventing Ukraine from Negotiating with Russia”
Lavrov accused European leaders of preventing Ukraine from engaging in talks with Russia, stating, “European leaders are blocking Ukraine from negotiating with Russia, claiming that a third round of talks is no longer possible. Ukraine had previously claimed that the level of our delegation was inappropriate, but now their own level is about to change. Former Ukrainian Defense Minister Rustem Umerov will reunite with his family in the U.S. as an ambassador.”

Iran’s Nuclear Program
Lavrov also touched on Iran’s nuclear program, stating that SCO members reaffirmed their support for Iran’s peaceful use of nuclear energy. He added, “In my meeting with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, we discussed realistic approaches to reaching a solution through peaceful political and diplomatic means, taking into account decisions made long ago in Iran.”