(LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM) – Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov’s recent criticism of the United States reflects continued pressure on the Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to avoid any genuine peace agreement with Ukraine, according to financier and Kremlin critic Sir Bill Browder.
Speaking on Times Radio’s Frontline programme, Browder said Lavrov’s remarks showed that Moscow remains unwilling to accept any settlement that does not amount to Ukraine’s full surrender.
Browder said Lavrov’s statements could form part of a deliberate strategy, designed to balance hostile public rhetoric with private contacts between Putin and US President Donald Trump and his advisers. He suggested the Kremlin may be using a “good cop, bad cop” approach to manage relations with Washington.
He said Putin has so far benefited from limited international pressure and therefore has little incentive to escalate tensions with the United States. Browder added that Lavrov’s comments may either be unauthorised or intended to counter what he described as warmer private communications between Moscow and Trump’s circle.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has previously said Washington hopes for a peace agreement by June. Browder said such a timetable was unrealistic, given Russia’s stated position.
He said Russia’s version of peace remains centred on Ukraine’s complete capitulation and the continuation of occupation and repression. Browder argued that the Kremlin has been consistent in its objectives since the start of the invasion and has shown no genuine interest in compromise.
According to Browder, Moscow continues to present a façade of diplomacy in order to avoid provoking stronger reactions from Washington. He cited comments by Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff, who has described recent meetings with Russian officials as “constructive”, as part of this approach.
Browder said he did not expect any meaningful peace agreement either this year or next. He argued that the war is more likely to end through military victory by one side or through prolonged exhaustion rather than through negotiated settlement.
He also criticised Trump’s previous claims that he could resolve the conflict within 24 hours, noting that several self imposed deadlines had passed without consequence for Russia.
Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha has called for a trilateral meeting involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia. Browder said Putin has consistently avoided such talks because they would expose Moscow as the main obstacle to peace.
He said that in direct talks, Zelensky would be able to restate his willingness to negotiate, provided Russia halted its attacks and offered security guarantees. Putin, Browder said, would likely reject such terms and demand further territorial concessions.
Such an outcome would place pressure on Trump to respond firmly, something Browder said he has so far been unwilling to do. Avoiding high level meetings therefore remains the easiest option for the Kremlin.
Lavrov has recently accused Washington of imposing “unfair” sanctions on Russian energy companies, including Lukoil and Rosneft. He has claimed that the economic outlook for relations with the United States is deteriorating.
Browder dismissed these complaints as disingenuous, noting that many sanctions are weakly enforced and that Russia has repeatedly ignored opportunities to agree to ceasefires.
He said Moscow has received what he described as a “free pass” despite rejecting diplomatic initiatives and continuing its military operations.
Browder added that Lavrov has limited independence and should not be viewed as a decisive figure in Russian policy. He noted that the foreign minister periodically disappears from public view before re emerging with new statements that reflect Kremlin messaging.
He said Putin is unlikely to provoke a direct confrontation with Washington while he continues to benefit from restrained Western responses.
Browder also welcomed a recent decision by Starlink to block Russian military use of its satellite communications system in Ukraine.
He said the move has disrupted Russian operations and reduced Ukrainian casualties. Browder added that the decision represents one of the few recent developments that has had a clear positive impact on civilian and military safety.
The Frontline programme was presented by Kate Gerbeau, Philip Ingram and Louis Sykes and produced by Times Radio.
