Russia's Lavrov Rules Out Political Concessions to US Envoys

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow will listen to proposals from US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner but will not make political concessions. He stated Russia must rely only on its own strength and expects no miracles from Washington, calling the US at best a rival. The remarks come ahead of a planned visit to Russia by Witkoff and Kushner, special envoys of US President Donald Trump. Witkoff is expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Norway first, while Kushner will join that meeting online due to illness. The New York Times reported the envoys will travel to St. Petersburg to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lavrov's comments signal Moscow's cautious stance toward the upcoming talks.