Russia believes Alaska process isn't over - Lavrov
MOSCOW. Oct 16 (Interfax) - United States President Donald Trump's statements about potential supplies of Tomahawk missiles to Ukraine have nothing to do with the discussions of the Ukrainian settlement which took place during the Russian-U.S. summit in Alaska, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
"It [statements on possible Tomahawk missile supplies] is not a response to the concept [which was discussed in Alaska]. None of his statements regarding Tomahawks have anything to do with what was conceptually discussed in Alaska. Or I would rather say conceptually and practically," Lavrov said in an interview with the Kommersant newspaper.
Moscow currently expects Washington's response following the discussion, he said.
Russian President Vladimir Putin brought to Alaska "a response to the proposals delivered by U.S. Special Presidential Envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow a couple of weeks before," he said.
The Russian president "took some time for considerations at that time and said in Alaska that he is ready to agree with the concept which Witkoff had brought, because it reflects the understanding of the root causes in the first place and is aimed at eliminating them," Lavrov said. "In fact, he explained how this concept can be realized after it adoption," he said.
"U.S. President Donald Trump said he must consult in Washington. We're waiting for a response," Lavrov said.
Answering a question how much time is enough for the Alaska factor, Lavrov said, "The Alaska process is not over."
Following the talks in Alaska, Trump went on "to consult, as he said, with his allies in Washington," he said. They, in turn, "are trying to convince" U.S. President that "it's not [Ukrainian President] Vladimir Zelensky and Europe who are making fool of themselves, but Russian President Vladimir Putin does not want peace," Lavrov said.
"Yes, he [Trump] is under pressure," he said.
"And now Trump's administration understands the need to look into the root causes and is trying to do it," he said.
"We're still waiting for a specific response to the results of the talks in Alaska. We are loyal to them," he said.
Moscow will keep an eye on "how things go in Washington" and how the U.S. president and his team respond to the ultimatums of Kiev and certain Western leaders regarding the conflict settlement "demanding that they [Trump and his team] change their inner feelings and intuitive approaches to Ukraine and openly take a position promoted by the most rabid Russophobic Europeans," he said.
"We presume that the mutual understanding was conceptually reached there [in Alaska]. The parties also discussed how this understanding could be transformed into practical actions 'on the ground.' We clearly outlined how we see it. President Trump said that he needs to consult with his allies. The consultation process is apparently continuing," he said.
