Lavrov Says Ukraine Peace Hinges on Recognizing "Territorial Realities"

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov During A Press Conference

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reiterated that any path to peace in Ukraine depends on global recognition of the territories Moscow has claimed since 2014, including Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson. Speaking to an Indonesian outlet, Lavrov insisted these "new realities" must be formally accepted in international law.

Russia Insists on Territorial Recognition

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has made clear that any hope for lasting peace in Ukraine depends on the world’s recognition and legal acceptance of the regions Russia has claimed since 2014. Speaking to an Indonesian newspaper, Lavrov said that territories—Crimea, Sevastopol, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporozhye, and Kherson—must be internationally acknowledged as part of Russia for peace to be possible.

Conditions Outlined for Lasting Peace

Lavrov outlined three main conditions:

• The new territorial realities must be not just recognized but formalized in international law.
• Ukraine must guarantee its neutral and non-aligned status, remaining free of military alliances like NATO.
• A fresh system for security guarantees across Eurasia must be put in place to ensure no threats to Russia’s security, referencing past NATO expansion as a core issue.

Human Rights and Language Issue

Lavrov also accused Ukrainian authorities of suppressing Russian culture, language, and identity in areas still controlled by Kyiv. He claimed it’s crucial to restore human rights for Russian-speaking citizens, traditions, and religious freedoms in these regions.

The Ongoing Stalemate

Ukraine firmly rejects territorial concessions, saying all occupied lands must be returned and promising to recover seized regions. The territorial question remains the core issue blocking progress in ongoing peace talks. Both sides maintain open contact, but negotiations are stalled as Russia demands annexation recognition while Ukraine insists on sovereignty before any ceasefire.

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