CaliToday (29/10/2025): Russia’s top diplomat bitterly admits the Kremlin "misjudged" the White House, as President Trump abandons "long-term peace" talks and caves to "European hawks" by demanding an immediate ceasefire.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has not hidden his anger, openly acknowledging that the Trump administration has made a "radical change" in its approach to the war in Ukraine after buckling to "intense pressure from European allies."
In a candid and frustrated interview with the Hungarian channel Ultrahang on October 26, Lavrov complained that Washington has abandoned the "long-term, pro-peace stance" Moscow once praised, shifting instead to demanding an "immediate ceasefire." Lavrov dismissed this new position as a capitulation to "European hawks and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy."
"Now, they only talk about an immediate ceasefire and let history judge later. This is a complete change," Lavrov said bitterly. "It is obvious that the Europeans are working day and night to twist the arm of the US administration."
Lavrov reminded listeners that following the U.S.-Russia summit in Alaska, President Trump had spoken of finding a "stable, lasting peace," not a "temporary pause only to fall back into chaos."
However, Lavrov claims Washington is now suffering under "enormous pressure from Europe and Kyiv," whom he accuses of "wanting to block all channels of cooperation with Russia" and "intensifying the flow of arms aid to Ukraine."
A "Serious Rift" and a "Deep Miscalculation"
According to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), Lavrov’s latest complaints reflect a "serious rift" between the Kremlin's war aims and the Trump administration's expectations.
This shift is devastating for Moscow. The Kremlin was banking on a prolonged conflict, believing a second Trump term would allow for a negotiated settlement that would legitimize its territorial gains. In contrast, the Trump administration’s new demand for an immediate ceasefire without preconditions would force Russia to stop the war without achieving any of its primary objectives.
This change of-face has reportedly left analysts and officials in Moscow "surprised and deeply disappointed."
Many in the Russian government had believed that President Trump with his "America First" skepticism of foreign aid and perceived goodwill for dialogue would be a pragmatist who would "give Russia space to negotiate."
The reality has been a shock. Far from offering concessions, Trump is imposing a new diplomatic initiative, pressuring Russia to accept an end to the war on terms that do not include the annexation of Ukrainian territory.
A Russian diplomatic source, speaking anonymously to the outlet RBC, admitted the Kremlin’s strategic failure:
"We misjudged Mr. Trump. He is not as simple as we thought," the source conceded. "It is now clear: he wants to end this war on terms favorable to America, not to Moscow."