Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov laid out Russia’s conditions for ending the war with Ukraine, emphasizing the need to lift sanctions and address the conflict’s "root causes."

In an interview with the Hungarian newspaper Magyar Nemzet, Lavrov stated that Russia would not agree to a ceasefire unless comprehensive sanctions against it were lifted and Western countries returned the hundreds of billions of dollars in frozen Russian assets.

"We must lift sanctions against Russia, drop all legal claims, and return the confiscated assets in the West," he added.

Lavrov stressed that any resolution must address the "root causes" of the war that began against Ukraine in February 2022.

Russian officials have repeatedly referred to these “root causes,” which President Vladimir Putin said include Ukraine withdrawing from territories it partially controls and abandoning its efforts to join NATO.

Lavrov insisted that the international community must formally recognize the Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia regions as part of Russia.

He also said Russia remained “open to a political and diplomatic solution to the conflict” but warned that Moscow was not seeking a “temporary halt to hostilities” that would allow Ukraine and its Western allies to regroup.

He added, “The goal should be lasting peace,” rejecting proposals that would merely freeze the current front lines.

He continued: “Russia is not seeking a ceasefire that would enable the Ukrainian government and its foreign supporters to regroup, continue mobilization, and enhance military capabilities.”

On June 2, during negotiations in Istanbul, Russian and Ukrainian delegations exchanged memorandums outlining potential ceasefire conditions.

The documents revealed fundamental differences in positions, many of which are likely irreconcilable. The two sides have not held direct talks since.