It is too early to assess the Iran-Israel ceasefire’s durability, says Lavrov

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, speaking at the Primakov Readings international forum, stated that the shifting approaches of Western leaders regarding Ukraine reflect the failure of their initial plans.

Lavrov noted that Moscow will wait for proposals from the West to mend relations, while emphasizing that it is still too early to make definitive comments on the permanence of the ceasefire between Iran and Israel.

The West’s slogans have evolved from ‘strategic defeat’ to unconditional ceasefire

Lavrov recalled that at the beginning of the military conflict, the West was “hysterically shouting” about the need to inflict a “strategic defeat on Russia on the battlefield.”

He noted that this slogan eventually changed to phrases like “Russia must not win in Ukraine,” and summarized the current situation as follows:

“Now, they are demanding, requesting, and even begging for an immediate, unconditional ceasefire. This is the very thing that Volodymyr Zelenskyy categorically rejected a few years ago when he was living and working under the banner of a strategic defeat on the battlefield.”

The minister observed that the fiasco of the West’s strategy and tactics is evident, but “Europe is still trying.”

Europe seeks negotiations

In May, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot announced that European countries wish to be represented in potential Russia-Ukraine negotiations in Istanbul, following a proposed 30-day ceasefire by Kyiv and its allies.

Barrot stated that if Moscow refuses to cease fire, they expect the US and the European Union to increase pressure on Russia and impose extensive sanctions.

In contrast, US President Donald Trump has repeatedly avoided new anti-Russian sanctions, explaining that he did not want to jeopardize peace talks he believed were close to an agreement.

On June 20, following comments from Senator Lindsey Graham during his visit to Ukraine about his intention to advance a bill imposing a 500% secondary tariff on Russian energy sources, Trump warned that such statements should be chosen more carefully.

Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated on June 10 that there was no common ground for future agreements with Europe. Peskov attributed this to Europe being “focused on war for now” and showing no signs of seeking common ground with Russia.

‘Let them come with proposals when they realize their mistakes’

Lavrov also expressed that Russia expects proposals from Western countries to rebuild relations once the current “international arrogance” subsides.

Arguing that many countries have severed ties with Russia to the detriment of their own people, suffering enormous financial and reputational losses, Lavrov stated, “Let them come to us when they realize their mistakes and present their proposals, and we will decide based on our own interests.”

‘Too early to speak on the Iran-Israel ceasefire’

Addressing developments in the Middle East, Lavrov said it would be premature at this stage to draw final conclusions about the stability of the ceasefire reached between Iran and Israel.

Citing reports that the US persuaded Israel to agree to the ceasefire, with Qatar playing a similar role in negotiations with Tehran, Lavrov highlighted that news of rocket attacks from both sides continued to emerge after the ceasefire was declared.

“It is very difficult to form a complete picture of what is happening right now; the information is fragmented. We should not make hasty assessments,” Lavrov remarked.

The minister affirmed that Moscow supports any steps aimed at de-escalation and hopes for a long-term ceasefire, adding, “But we are for peace.”

On June 24, at 08:08 Turkish time, US President Donald Trump announced that the ceasefire between Iran and Israel had come into effect.

Before this announcement, Trump had stated that the parties had reached a “full agreement for a full ceasefire.” Iranian media also confirmed the ceasefire had taken effect.

However, at 10:58 Israel time, Defense Minister Israel Katz announced that Iran had violated the ceasefire agreement by launching two ballistic missiles.

Katz declared that he had instructed the Israeli army to “respond decisively to Iran’s ceasefire violation with intense strikes on regime targets in the heart of Tehran.”