Lavrov Says Russia Keeps Regular Channels Open With Trump Administration

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow maintains regular contact with the Trump administration across several formats, describing the exchanges as a mark of normality in a relationship that has otherwise been dominated by hostile rhetoric.

Speaking at a news conference following his address to the UN General Assembly, Lavrov said ties would be better served by diplomacy than by daily statements condemning Russia and calling for its strategic defeat. He did not specify the formats or the level at which the contacts take place.

On Europe, Lavrov repeated President Vladimir Putin's position that Russia has no intention of going to war with the continent, dismissing the idea as nonsense. He argued the reverse risk was greater, pointing to repeated European statements that countries must be ready for war by 2030 and to heavy spending on weapons production. That combination, he warned, could turn into a self-fulfilling prophecy if political elites eventually decide to use the stockpiles they have built.

Lavrov said Russia also has several channels of communication with individual European Union countries and with NATO, including bilateral routes, and that some confidential opportunities exist to exchange views. Positions received from Western agencies are not made public, he added.

Turning to diplomacy over Ukraine, Lavrov said Russia believes an agreement was reached in Anchorage and remains ready to return to it. He said Europe feels sidelined in the process, and pointed to recent US signals about finding new approaches and proposals. He contrasted that with earlier American statements about being on Ukraine's side, suggesting the shift showed Washington now sees a role for itself in mediating.

The remarks came on the sidelines of the annual UN gathering, where the war in Ukraine and European security have been central themes.