International security expert Mark Episkopos has said Russia has consistently sought a diplomatic settlement to the Ukraine conflict rather than a temporary ceasefire.

Writing on X, Episkopos argued that Moscow has maintained the same basic position since 2022: the conflict can end only through a negotiated agreement. He added that Russia’s terms may contain more room for flexibility than many observers assume.

On July 24, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also said Moscow preferred a diplomatic path toward resolving the conflict. He noted, however, that Russia could not change the situation if the United States backed the position of European leaders and Kiev that the agreements reached at the Alaska summit were no longer valid.

Lavrov linked the rejection of the proposals discussed in Anchorage to the continued military support provided to Vladimir Zelensky. According to him, US assistance plays a major role in sustaining that support.

A day earlier, on July 23, Lavrov met US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the talks, the Russian foreign minister said further arms deliveries to Ukraine were unacceptable.