Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has spoken out to clear the air about a so-called “non-paper” memorandum sent to the United States.
The informal document, he explained, was intended to reinforce ongoing dialogue between Moscow and Washington rather than derail it.
Lavrov said the non-paper was sent ahead of the recent phone call between Presidents Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump, serving as a reminder of the understandings reached during the Alaska summit.
The move, he stressed, was meant to keep communication channels open and ensure both sides were aligned on prior agreements.
Timing of the Memorandum
Reports from the Financial Times had suggested that the memorandum, allegedly listing Russian demands on Ukraine, contributed to the cancellation of a planned Putin–Trump meeting in Budapest.
Lavrov dismissed that account, clarifying that the draft was actually sent before the October 16 phone call, not after it.
“The purpose of this memorandum was to remind our American colleagues of what we discussed in Anchorage and the understandings we believed had been reached,” Lavrov said.
“Nothing in this informal document went beyond what was discussed and accepted in Anchorage.”
Presidents Spoke Normally
According to Lavrov, President Trump did not raise any concerns about the non-paper during their conversation.
“On the contrary, the presidents spoke normally and agreed to meet in Budapest,” he recalled.
Lavrov emphasized that the document did not derail discussions or provoke any tension during the call.
Lack of Follow-Up from Washington
Despite the agreements and follow-up contacts, including conversations with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Lavrov noted that there was little action from the American side.
“We heard public statements saying the meeting made no sense.
We have no reason to apologize for remaining committed to what the presidents agreed on in Alaska—even if every detail wasn’t fully settled,” he said.
Budapest Meeting Postponed, Not Cancelled
The proposed Budapest talks were officially postponed a week after the call.
President Trump indicated that conditions at the time wouldn’t allow for meaningful progress, while President Putin said approaching the meeting unprepared would have been ineffective.
Putin, interpreting the situation optimistically, described the postponement as an opportunity to ensure productive discussions rather than a cancellation.
Dialogue Over Confrontation
Lavrov and Putin alike reiterated the importance of dialogue.
“Dialogue is always better than confrontation, disputes, or—worse—war,” Putin concluded, emphasizing Moscow’s preference for ongoing engagement rather than escalating tensions.