Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Europe has removed itself from current talks due to past failures, including the 2014 Ukraine deal, the Minsk agreements, and the derailment of the 2022 Istanbul negotiations. Lavrov argues Europe has “used up its chances,” questioning its credibility and role in future diplomacy.
Europe Has “Removed Itself from the Talks,” Says Russia’s Sergey Lavrov
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has sharply criticized Europe’s conduct in past diplomatic processes, arguing that European countries have effectively excluded themselves from any meaningful role in current negotiations. Responding to a question about whether Europe can demand involvement in ongoing talks, Lavrov dismissed the notion entirely, saying that the issue “wasn’t really discussed” and that Europe has already lost its credibility as a negotiating partner.
Lavrov referenced comments made by senior Russian officials, including Yury Ushakov of the Presidential Executive Office, noting that it is “obvious to everybody” that Europe has disqualified itself from the dialogue due to its past failures and political behavior.
According to Lavrov, Europe’s marginalization is rooted in a series of broken commitments and political miscalculations spanning nearly a decade.
February 2014 Agreement Violations
Lavrov recalled the events of February 2014, when Europe acted as guarantor for an agreement between then-Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych and the opposition. The deal was intended to ease tensions and establish political stability. However, Lavrov noted that Europe “spoiled” the arrangement by failing to ensure the opposition upheld its obligations. He emphasized that European guarantors remained passive even as the opposition seized government buildings the very next morning after the agreement was signed, ultimately leading to the collapse of the deal.
Undermining of the Minsk Agreements
The foreign minister went on to cite Europe’s role in the Minsk agreements, which were designed to secure a peaceful settlement in the Donbas region. Lavrov highlighted later admissions by former German Chancellor Angela Merkel and former French President François Hollande, who acknowledged that the agreements were never intended to be implemented. Instead, they were seen as a way to buy time. According to Lavrov, these revelations show Europe’s lack of commitment to the peace process.
Derailment of the Istanbul Talks in April 2022
Another major instance cited by Lavrov was the interruption of the Istanbul negotiations in April 2022, which he claims were derailed at the insistence of then-UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson. Lavrov argued that Europe not only agreed to this interference but did so with “full acquiescence, if not connivance.” As a result, the talks collapsed, eliminating what Russia viewed as a potentially constructive path forward.
“Europe Has Used Up Its Chances”
Summarizing Russia’s position, Lavrov stated that Europe has exhausted its credibility by repeatedly undermining agreements, failing to act as a responsible guarantor, and aligning itself with decisions that derailed peace efforts. He concluded that Europe cannot now demand a role in current negotiations because it has already “used up its chances.”
Conclusion
Lavrov’s comments reflect a significant shift in Russia’s diplomatic messaging: Europe, once a central actor in negotiations involving Ukraine and broader regional security, is now portrayed as unreliable and irrelevant in the current geopolitical landscape. The remarks further reinforce Moscow’s stance that future diplomatic engagements will not involve European countries unless they fundamentally reassess their past behavior and responsibilities.
Disclaimer:
This article is based on statements provided by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov during a media interaction. The views, claims, and interpretations quoted in this report reflect the speaker’s perspective and not those of the publisher. Readers are advised to consider multiple sources and viewpoints when evaluating geopolitical developments.