Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov commented on the upcoming talks in Moscow with US President Donald Trump's envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. According to him, the Russian side will study the proposals of the American delegation, but "there will be no political concessions." This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing Lavrov's statement conveyed by the RIA Novosti agency.
Economic agreements — yes, political conditions — no
Lavrov clearly delineated the format of possible agreements: Moscow is ready to discuss economic deals with the United States but excludes any political compromises. "Russia is ready for economic agreements, but without political concessions," emphasized the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry. Thus, the Kremlin has set the boundaries of the negotiations in advance, signaling that issues of territorial integrity, the status of occupied territories, or political security guarantees will not be on the agenda of discussions with the American side.
Relations with the West: 'It won't be like before 2022'
Commenting on the prospects for the normalization of relations between Moscow and Western capitals, Lavrov stated that Russia is ready to resume dialogue, but the format of interaction will change fundamentally. "It won't be like it was before 2022," he noted. This statement can be viewed as an attempt to fix new "rules of the game" in international relations, which, according to the position of the Russian leadership, take into account the results of the conflict in Ukraine and the redistribution of geopolitical influence.
Sanctions: 'No miracle' from the Trump administration
Responding to questions about the possible easing of sanctions pressure, Lavrov stated that Russian authorities do not expect "any miracle" from the current US administration. In particular, he urged "not to admire" the fact that Trump decided not to apply the so-called "hellish sanctions" act against Russia, authored by Senator Lindsey Graham. "Another president will come — who knows how he will behave," added Lavrov, pointing to the instability of sanctions policy depending on the change of the American administration.
Context: ceasefire and appeals by European leaders
Earlier, as reported by RBC-Ukraine, Lavrov stated that Russia would not agree to a ceasefire for the purpose of holding presidential elections in Ukraine. In addition, the head of the Russian Foreign Ministry commented on statements by a number of European leaders about the need to prepare for a possible armed confrontation with Russia, calling such appeals capable of "provoking a war." These statements form the overall context in which the upcoming talks in Moscow are taking place and emphasize the Kremlin's rigid position on key settlement issues.
Expectations for the meeting of Witkoff and Kushner
The negotiations of Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with Russian officials in Moscow will be one of the key diplomatic events of the autumn of 2026. Lavrov's phrasing — readiness for economic dialogue while refusing political concessions — sets the tone in which the discussions will likely proceed. Observers will pay attention to exactly which economic packages will be brought to the negotiating table and whether they will coincide with the expectations of the American side formed during previous contacts.
