Russia has received a draft charter from the US for a proposed Board of Peace on Gaza, and the creation of a Palestinian state remains relevant in the context of this initiative, Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Tuesday.
"We recently received specific proposals, a draft charter for this structure, and so on," Lavrov told a press conference.
He said the initiative reflects Washington's understanding of the need to bring together a group of countries for cooperation.
"In general, when we are talking about the need to resolve the Gaza issue, which was the raison detre for the Board of Peace, we have the same position ... there is a need to create a Palestine state," he said.
The White House last week announced the Board of Peace that “will play an essential role in fulfilling all 20 points” of Trump’s Gaza peace plan, “providing strategic oversight, mobilizing international resources, and ensuring accountability as Gaza transitions from conflict to peace and development.” Many world leaders have been invited to join the body.
Lavrov stressed that despite ongoing global debates over recent US actions, Moscow views the current White House leadership as practical.
"I assure you that the administration of (US President) Donald Trump -- despite all the actions currently being widely discussed in the world -- is an administration of pragmatists. And it realizes the need not just to unite a large number of (countries) under its command, but also to fully take into account their legitimate interests," he said.
However, he added, all rules on the world stage have been broken and a game of “might is right” is underway.
He called Trump's policy of independently setting rules of conduct a "shock to Europe," adding that the US has "rudely invaded Venezuela" and is threatening other Latin American countries. The US captured Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in a military operation in Caracas early this month and flew him to New York where he faces drug trafficking and other charges.
Regarding the conflict in Ukraine, the foreign minister said the goal of inflicting a strategic defeat on Russia “remains in the minds and plans of European leaders.”
He warned that NATO is "seriously preparing for war with Russia," but reiterated Moscow is committed to finding a diplomatic solution to the Ukraine crisis.
"If we look at the history of this crisis, starting in 2014 and especially since 2022, there has been no shortage of goodwill on the part of the Russian Federation when it comes to reaching political agreements," Lavrov said.
He accused European neighbors of behaving similarly regarding Trump's initiatives, noting they are "trying in every way to convince the American administration not to negotiate with the Russian Federation."
