Russia says it did not seek Ukrainian territory

Lavrov frames Moscow’s Ukraine policy as protection of Russian speakers rather than conquest.

Lavrov asserts Russia never sought to seize Ukrainian territories

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow never sought to seize Ukrainian territories, claiming the aim was to protect the Russian people living there. The remarks came as Lavrov and other Kremlin figures prepared for a high-profile summit in Alaska with the United States, with Lavrov photographed wearing a CCCP T-shirt. The interview was carried by a Kremlin-aligned outlet and cited as part of broader messaging ahead of talks between Vladimir Putin and President Donald Trump.

Lavrov added that Crimea, Donbas, and Novorossiya have never been goals for Russia. He suggested Ukraine moved to restrict Russian speakers’ rights, while he argued Zelensky will not discuss any territories because of constitutional limits. The piece notes Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea and the 2022 full-scale invasion, and it recalls past Russian propaganda that promised a rapid victory and a parade in Kyiv.

Lavrov’s framing of the conflict relies on a protection narrative and a revival of Soviet symbolism to legitimize policy in the eyes of domestic and allied audiences. This approach emphasizes identity and history over territorial ambition, aiming to shape both international diplomacy and domestic opinion. It also signals how Moscow seeks to manage the perception of risk as the Ukraine war enters a new phase of diplomacy and negotiations.

The statements may complicate Western efforts to isolate Russia economically and politically if Moscow insists on reframing the conflict. By foregrounding Russian speakers’ rights and invoking the USSR, Moscow risks feeding a narrative of inevitability that could widen gaps with partners and fuel mistrust about future negotiations. The next steps in diplomacy will reveal how much history can still drive policy at the highest level.

Highlights

The coming weeks will show whether history helps or hinders a path to dialogue.