Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Accuses US of Stalling Ukraine Peace Talks, Citing Renegotiated Proposals and New Sanctions

Lavrov Blames US for Stagnation in Ukraine Peace Efforts

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has explicitly accused the United States of hindering progress in ending the conflict in Ukraine. Speaking in interviews on February 9th and 10th, 2026, with TV BRICS and NTV respectively, Lavrov stated that Washington has reneged on peace proposals and imposed new sanctions, thereby obstructing a potential resolution.

Alleged Anchorage Agreements and US Reversal

A central point of Lavrov's accusation revolves around an alleged agreement reached during a summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and then-US President Donald Trump in Anchorage, Alaska, in August 2025. Lavrov claimed that Russia had accepted US proposals made during these talks, which he believed could have paved the way for 'full-scale, broad, and mutually beneficial cooperation' between the two nations. However, he asserted that the US subsequently abandoned its own initiative.

While Lavrov did not elaborate on the specific details of the potential deal, it is widely believed to have involved Ukraine ceding territory it still controls in the Donbas region. Kremlin officials have reportedly leveraged the absence of publicly available documents from the Alaska Summit to support their claims of an understanding being reached to end the war. The White House has not confirmed the existence of such agreements.

New Sanctions and Economic Dominance Claims

Adding to his accusations, Lavrov criticized the US for imposing new sanctions on Russian energy companies, specifically naming Lukoil and Rosneft. These sanctions, he noted, were introduced 'a couple of weeks' after the 'constructive talks' in Anchorage, contradicting the spirit of the discussions. Furthermore, Lavrov accused the US of engaging in a 'war' against Russian tankers in international waters and pressuring countries like India to refrain from purchasing Russian energy.

The Russian Foreign Minister characterized these actions as attempts by Washington to achieve 'economic dominance' and to create 'artificial obstacles' to cooperation. He expressed skepticism about the future of economic ties with the US, stating, 'we also do not see any bright future in the economic sphere.'

Broader Diplomatic Landscape and Counter-Perspectives

Lavrov's statements come amidst ongoing, albeit stalled, diplomatic efforts to resolve the Ukraine conflict. While US officials, including President Trump, have previously expressed optimism about peace deals, with Trump suggesting Ukraine and Russia were 'closer than ever before' to an agreement, new sanctions have continued. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has indicated that the US is pushing for a peace deal by June, ahead of the US midterm elections, and that Ukraine would require security guarantees. The US negotiating team, led by Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, has reportedly discussed a March target for a peace deal, which would include a referendum in Ukraine. The US has also confirmed its readiness to ratify security guarantees for Ukraine in Congress.

Lavrov also extended his criticism to European nations, accusing them of 'sabotaging all peacemaking efforts' and 'openly preparing for a new major European war against Russia.' He reiterated Russia's demand for effective control over Ukraine's post-war government and the size and composition of its military.