Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has declared that Ukraine must formally acknowledge its territorial losses, protect the interests of Russian-speaking communities, and adopt a security framework that aligns with Moscow’s strategic priorities. In an interview with Indonesia’s Kompas published Wednesday, Lavrov outlined conditions for a lasting peace, emphasizing that Russia’s annexations—including Crimea, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, Kherson, and Zaporozhye—must be legally recognized.

The minister highlighted that these regions’ 2014 and 2022 referendums reflected the will of their populations to join Russia, a fact he argued should be respected by the international community. He further stressed that resolving the conflict hinges on addressing its root cause: NATO’s eastward expansion and Ukraine’s perceived alignment with the alliance.

Lavrov reiterated that Ukraine’s sovereignty must include guarantees of neutrality, non-alignment, and nuclear disarmament—principles enshrined in Kyiv’s 1990 declaration of independence. However, he criticized Ukraine’s treatment of Russian-speaking citizens, accusing the government of eradicating cultural ties to Russia through policies banning the Russian language, Orthodox traditions, and media outlets.

The foreign minister also condemned Ukraine’s crackdown on its Orthodox Church, which he claimed has been systematically targeted despite its 2022 break from Moscow. He noted that Kyiv has rejected territorial compromises while pursuing NATO membership, a stance he framed as provocative.

The statement underscores Russia’s insistence on redefining the conflict’s parameters, framing any negotiations as contingent on Ukraine’s acceptance of Moscow’s geopolitical red lines.