by TASS [5-23-2025 published].

The Russian foreign minister noted that Russia will draw up a memorandum on Ukraine based on the most fundamental things and the root causes of the conflict, which must be removed "like a cancerous tumor".

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. A possible choice of the Vatican as a venue for the next negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is "a bit inelegant" as the two Orthodox countries will be discussing their issues on Catholic ground, including Orthodoxy in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the high-level conference ‘Historical South Russian Lands: National Identity and Self-Determination of Peoples.’

He also noted that Russia will draw up a memorandum on Ukraine based on the most fundamental things and the root causes of the conflict, which must be removed "like a cancerous tumor."

TASS has assembled the key statements by the Russian top diplomat.

On prospects for a second round of talks with Ukraine

The second round of talks with Ukraine will be held. Moscow is close to finalizing a memorandum on the Ukraine crisis.

Ukraine has confirmed that there will be a second round of talks with Russia, which is "a positive development in itself," the top diplomat noted.

The dates and venue of the second round of talks with the Ukrainian side have not been determined yet.

"No, we have not yet determined the dates. Many people are making predictions on when and where [the meeting] will take place. We do not have any ideas for now," the minister said.

A possible choice of the Vatican as a venue for the next negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is "a bit inelegant."

It would be "not very convenient" for the Vatican to host talks between Moscow and Kiev, given the conditions that have developed in Ukraine today around Orthodoxy in general and the Ukrainian Orthodox Church in particular, Lavrov said.

On Ukrainian crisis settlement

Russia will not let people in Ukraine live under the laws imposed by Vladimir Zelensky's junta.

"This cannot be allowed under any circumstances," Lavrov said.

"The simplest and most effective step for our Western colleagues, who are scrambling for solutions, is to insist on the repeal of laws that blatantly contravene the United Nations Charter and numerous conventions on the rights of national minorities," Lavrov stated.

The militarization of Europe has been proclaimed in the West "as one of the main tasks for the second half of the decade" and "this is a very dangerous trend," Lavrov said.

Moscow has always stated that it’s ready to hold peace talks with Ukraine provided that the root causes of the conflict are addressed.

"We have never avoided communication," the top diplomat noted.

It’s no use negotiating with Russia from a position of strength.

"They should remember their ancestors’ attempts to talk to Russia from a position of strength. This makes no sense," Lavrov noted.

On Trump’s position on Ukraine

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly emphasized that the conflict in Ukraine is "not his war."

"His position that the US is guided by national interests extends to the Ukrainian situation," the foreign minister noted.

Ukraine expected the West's support, including that of the United States, to be eternal, allowing them to have everything they wanted forever, but "Trump has shown an alternative understanding of the situation."

On Zelensky

If one compares all the arguments that are being heard from Ukraine, it is obvious that Zelensky is "inadequate as a leader," Lavrov said.

The question of Vladimir Zelensky's legitimacy will be of fundamental importance in signing a peace agreement with Ukraine.

"When it comes to signing, that's where the issue of legitimacy will be of crucial importance, because if those whose legitimacy, to put it mildly, does not convince anyone anymore, put their signatures, then their successors may challenge the agreement reached," Lavrov said.

On dialogue with the US

Moscow and Washington should use the coincidence of national interests to implement joint projects.

"The national interests of any two states, and even more so of two large, great powers, will never fully coincide, moreover, in most cases they will not coincide. But when they do, it would be a colossal mistake not to use this coincidence of national interests in order to transfer the situation into the mainstream of joint, mutually beneficial material projects in the sphere of economy, technology and so on," Lavrov said.

In relations between Russia and the United States, "it is important not to indulge in illusions, it is important to be realistic, to understand that there have been many situations when the United States changed its position radically."

On Merz's statements

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz opportunistically tried to use the situation to his advantage, saying that under the current circumstances, Germany should take the lead in Europe.

"You have to be quite shameless to say something like that," Lavrov noted.

On pseudo-scientific works on history in Ukraine

Lavrov criticized what he called pseudo-scientific works published in Ukraine on historical topics:

"It’s hard to replace historical truth — which is why ideologues there are publishing supposedly academic works that would make your hair stand on end.".

No place for illusions in Russia-US relations — Lavrov

by TASS [5-23-2025 published].

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that the current state of relations between Moscow and Washington can be described as a "return to normality".

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has emphasized that Moscow remains cautious in its relations with Washington, refusing to indulge in illusions. Speaking at a high-level conference dedicated to the historical South Russian lands, Lavrov highlighted a notable "significant change" in the approach of the current U.S. administration compared to its predecessor.

"We are naturally sober-minded people in the political sense," Lavrov stated. "It is crucial not to succumb to illusions, to remain realistic and aware that there have been numerous instances where the United States has drastically reversed its stance. Such is life. There is no escaping this reality."

He underscored the importance of this understanding, asserting, "This factor must be taken into account. We certainly consider it carefully in planning our actions."

He emphasized that the current state of relations between Moscow and Washington can be described as a "return to normality."

"When Russian Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov and I met with [US Secretary of State] Marco Rubio and then [U.S. National Security Advisor] Mike Waltz in Riyadh, at the Americans’ suggestion, both sides clearly agreed that the foreign policy of normal countries should be rooted in national interests," Lavrov recalled. "This reflects the positions of [US President Donald] Trump and [Russian President Vladimir] Putin." He further clarified, "This is not about ideological considerations or attempts to expand influence indiscriminately."

Lavrov quoted Rubio as assuring that the U.S. respects the fact that each country has its own national interests, especially among great powers. From this approach, two key conclusions emerge: first, that shared national interests should be leveraged to pursue joint projects; second, when interests clash, it is the responsibility of the involved powers to prevent the conflict from escalating into confrontation or open hostility.

"This was the central theme of our discussions in Riyadh. In observing current developments, I believe the Trump administration is acting in accordance with this approach," Lavrov said. "That’s how we’ve always behaved - we’ve never lectured anyone."

Lavrov also noted that "this represents a significant shift in Washington’s policy compared to those of Democratic administrations."

"We observe that this policy has caused considerable turmoil among the U.S. elite, including within the Republican ranks. Many are unaccustomed to operating in this manner - they’re not used to a situation where they can’t control or decide everything," Lavrov explained.

EU unlikely to evade responsibility for its actions in Ukraine conflict — Lavrov

by TASS [5-23-2025 published].

The Russian foreign minister emphasized that public statements by European leaders indicate their intention to continue supplying arms to the Kiev regime.

MOSCOW, May 23. /TASS/. It will be rather challenging for European leaders to evade responsibility for their actions to fuel the Ukrainian crisis, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told reporters.

"Certainly, Europe bears some responsibility in this regard. I think that when the consequences of this conflict are considered - which I hope will happen following the settlement - it will be hard for them to evade responsibility," he pointed out.

Furthermore, the Russian foreign minister emphasized that public statements by European leaders indicate their intention to continue supplying arms to the Kiev regime, while disregarding Russia’s message on the need to address the conflict’s root causes for a successful resolution.

"Thereby they are fueling the conflict, encouraging Vladimir Zelensky and his team to continue their criminal actions," Lavrov noted.

Russia not to accept 'truce-and-see' approach on Ukraine, says Lavrov

by TASS [5-21-2025 published].

The Russian foreign minister said that in Istanbul in 2022 Russia and Ukraine "initialed the settlement principles proposed by the Ukrainian delegation".

YEREVAN, May 21. /TASS/. The "truce-and-see" approach to resolving the conflict with Ukraine won't fly anymore, no matter how much French President Emmanuel Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer scream that the United States should strengthen anti-Russian sanctions, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said at the Russian-Armenian University.

Lavrov said that in Istanbul in 2022 Russia and Ukraine "initialed the settlement principles proposed by the Ukrainian delegation."

"We agreed with them. They were initialed, both by us and the Ukrainians. And then the West forbade signing a treaty based on these very principles. This is why now that we are told: 'Let's have a truce, and then we'll see'. No, guys. We've already been through this, and we don't want to do this anymore, and the Macrons, the Starmers, the von der Leyens and other European figures, who are now hysterically demanding that the United States join anti-Russian actions and increase the number of sanctions, simply give them away," the minister said.

Negotiations between Russia and Ukraine resumed in Istanbul on May 16. Moscow and Kiev agreed to exchange prisoners under a "1,000 for 1,000" formula, present their detailed vision of a possible future ceasefire, and continue the negotiations. Head of the Russian delegation, Presidential Aide Vladimir Medinsky, said that Russia was satisfied with the meeting.