There’s nothing wrong with good US-Russia relations: Russian FM Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at the Antalya Diplomacy Forum 2025 that there is always potential for improved ties between Moscow and Washington, saying, “There is always potential. There’s nothing wrong with U.S.-Russia relations being good. The same goes for U.S.-China relations.”

Lavrov made these remarks during the “ADF Talks” panel moderated by TRT World’s Alican Ayanlar at the NEST Congress Center in Belek, Antalya.

‘Washington proposed discussing joint projects’

Lavrov said the United States had made proposals regarding cooperation and economic engagement, explaining, “Washington proposed discussing joint projects. We have never rejected offers related to cooperation in the field of economy or solving issues.”

‘If there are real rock star presidents…’

At the start of the panel, Ayanlar told Lavrov that he had become the most popular participant after President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and asked how it felt to be a diplomatic “rock star.”

Lavrov replied, “If there are real rock star presidents, there is nothing wrong with diplomats being like that, too. If people enjoy it, if they find it entertaining, let it be so.”

Lavrov criticizes European Atlantic community, NATO expansion

Lavrov criticized the European Atlantic community, saying, “All the initiatives of this community are aimed at preparing for a new war. At the forefront of this are Germany, France, and the United Kingdom.”

He added, “The European Union has now become part of the European Atlantic community. All these Atlantic structures, including providing land for NATO’s expansion east, south, or in any direction, have failed. Despite increased tension and deterioration in economic and social conditions, they have only succeeded in remilitarizing Europe, including Germany.”

‘Trump wants to return to normal relations with Russia’

Addressing U.S. foreign policy under Biden and Trump, Lavrov said, “Trump wants to return to normal relations with Russia.” He criticized former U.S. President Joe Biden’s stance toward Moscow, stating, “To put it mildly, it’s foolish.”

Lavrov elaborated on the contrast between the two U.S. administrations, saying, “What happened between us and the Trump administration was simple. Countries talked unconditionally and without pressure.”

On U.S.-China relations, he added, “There are many disagreements between China and the US. Although both countries have made many statements against each other, they have never stopped engaging at various levels. It is not right for countries to stop talking to each other.”

‘Trump understands what’s happening in Ukraine better than any European leader’

Lavrov claimed Trump had a better grasp of the Ukraine crisis than most of his European counterparts, saying, “Trump understands what’s happening in Ukraine better than any European leader, except the leaders of Hungary and Slovakia.”

“He was the first person to talk about many issues within the context of the crisis, including territorial matters and Ukraine’s NATO membership. We argue that the root causes of the Ukraine crisis must be addressed,” he continued.

“President Trump was the first—and so far, the only—Western leader to say multiple times that Ukraine joining NATO would be a huge mistake. The Americans also acknowledge that territorial disputes must be resolved as part of a long-term solution to the crisis,” Lavrov added.

‘The EU ignores human rights violations in Ukraine’

Lavrov accused the European Union of turning a blind eye to human rights violations in Ukraine, stating, “They are discussing deploying military forces on Ukrainian territory under the name of peacekeepers—not for peace, but to protect the administration led by President Zelenskyy.”

“So, will you not ask Zelenskyy whether he will comply with United Nations resolutions, the rights of national minorities, and religious freedom? No one is talking about this,” he asked.

‘Ukraine continues to attack Russian energy infrastructure’

Referring to the March 18 phone call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, Lavrov recalled that Russia and Ukraine had agreed to a 30-day suspension of attacks on energy and infrastructure facilities.

“We complied with this agreement, but Ukraine continues to carry out daily attacks on Russian energy infrastructure,” he said.

Lavrov added that they had submitted documentation of these attacks to the United States, the United Nations, and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and shared the evidence with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan.

Lavrov, Fidan meet to discuss regional issues and bilateral ties

Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan also met with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum.

According to diplomatic sources, the two ministers discussed Türkiye-Russia relations, including cooperation in the energy sector, maritime navigation safety in the Black Sea, and efforts to secure a cease-fire in the Russia-Ukraine war.

They also reviewed developments in Syria and the current situation in Gaza.