Lavrov on Europe and Ukraine Assets, contacts and demands

Jun 24

Dynkin invites Manuel Galileo's question about improving relations with Europe. Lavrov blames European governments for ending former dialogue channels and alleges British and American assistance to Ukrainian attacks. He calls the use of frozen Russian reserves and their earnings theft, citing a newly reported 6.5 billion transfer while being unsure whether the unit is dollars or euros and claiming a four-year total of 45 billion. He distinguishes contractual interest from additional proceeds but argues that immobilization makes their use illegitimate and damages confidence in Western finance. He rejects European demands for concessions combined with a place in Ukraine negotiations, while saying Russia listens to envoys and remains willing to hear serious proposals. He recalls Galuzin's meeting with the British, French and German ambassadors after their June 7 London statement, describing their position as capitulation demands involving the contact line, European troops, frozen assets and reparations. These are Lavrov's account of the contacts and his financial and political claims, not a joint readout, verified transfer announcement or agreed negotiating format.

Lavrov rejects what he portrays as European demands for Russian concessions combined with a seat beside Ukraine at negotiations. He says Russia receives envoys and will listen to serious proposals but cannot rely on promises. His later answers repeat the objection to ultimatums and criticize proposed European stabilization troops as a permanent division. These are June 24 assessments and conditional willingness to talk, not an exclusion decision agreed by other negotiators, a ceasefire or a troop deployment.