On February 10, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov openly criticized the United States for what he termed inadequate progress in ending Russia's war against Ukraine. He referenced the peace negotiations held in Istanbul in the spring of 2022 as a point of justification for Russia's reluctance to provide substantial security guarantees to Ukraine. Analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) have interpreted Lavrov's comments as part of a broader strategy to delegitimize Ukraine's demands and shift blame onto the US for the stalled negotiations.

Additionally, during interviews with Russian state media, Lavrov accused the US of engaging in "dishonest behavior" during the peace talks, particularly mentioning the introduction of new sanctions against Russia and increased tariffs on Russian oil imports. This rhetoric not only illustrates Russia's defensive posture but also serves to portray the US as an impediment to peace. Analysts contend that Lavrov's statements reflect an attempt to manipulate the narrative surrounding the negotiations, framing Russia's position as legitimate while undermining Ukraine's sovereignty and security.

Furthermore, Lavrov has insisted that any agreements regarding security guarantees should follow the framework established during the Istanbul talks, which controversially proposed that Russia be considered a neutral "guarantor" of Ukraine's security. This includes the notion that Russia and China would hold veto powers over any mechanisms intended to respond to future aggression against Ukraine. Such demands raise serious concerns about the viability and integrity of any future peace negotiations, as they challenge fundamental principles of international law and the existing security architecture in Europe.