Speaking to Hungary’s “Ultrahang” YouTube channel, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed U.S.–Russia relations and the ongoing war in Ukraine. He confirmed that Trump had proposed holding a summit with Putin in Budapest and that the Russian president agreed to the idea. “We are polite people. When we are invited, we accept and propose to agree on the format, place, and timing,” Lavrov said.

According to him, Trump informed the Kremlin on October 23 that the White House had decided to cancel the meeting. “Later, the Americans said that the cancellation actually meant a postponement. Therefore, everything depends on the inviter,” Lavrov added.

“Ready to Move at the Americans’ Pace”

Lavrov recalled that he had recently spoken with his U.S. counterpart, Senator Marco Rubio, at Washington’s initiative. During the call, Lavrov said Russia reaffirmed its commitment to the understandings reached between Putin and Trump at their last summit in Alaska.

“Rubio did not raise the issue of a new meeting or negotiations after our talk,” Lavrov explained. “I didn’t bring it up either, since the proposal came from the Americans. We are ready to move at a pace that makes them comfortable.” He added that both sides clearly understood the steps needed to implement the Alaska agreements.

Lavrov: We Need a Buffer Zone

Turning to the war in Ukraine, Lavrov said discussions about the fate of Ukrainian territories are ongoing through various diplomatic formats. He noted that President Putin has addressed the issue not only with Trump but also with Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, and other leaders.

Lavrov emphasized that Russia’s priority was “not the land itself, but the people living there,” while accusing Kyiv of using ceasefire calls to “buy time.” He reiterated that Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia are constitutionally part of Russia and hinted at further territorial control.

“We need a buffer zone,” Lavrov declared. “Ukrainians continue artillery and drone attacks on Russian regions such as Bryansk, Belgorod, and Kursk—areas that were never in dispute.”