Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed skepticism about significant shifts in U.S. foreign policy regarding Russia under the newly elected Republican president Donald Trump in January 2025. Lavrov asserted that U.S. administrations historically aim to weaken Russia, claiming the ongoing Ukraine conflict stems from American efforts to diminish Russian influence. As Trump promises to seek a resolution to the war in Ukraine, Lavrov is set to represent President Vladimir Putin at the upcoming G20 summit in Brazil, although the Kremlin remains cautious about Trump’s unpredictability.