Analysts point out that Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with Kremlin journalist Pavel Zarubin on February 1, sought to gain the favor of the Trump administration ahead of upcoming negotiations and to persuade the U.S. to engage in dialogue solely with Russia, excluding Ukraine and Europe. > "Lavrov compared Russia to the U.S., calling it 'just as great a power,' and stated that both countries should implement bilateral economic and trade projects, ensuring that disagreements do not lead to confrontation, especially a 'hot' one. Lavrov also claimed that Europe is trying to 'drive a wedge' between Russia and the U.S.," the report states. According to analysts, since Donald Trump took office as president in early 2025, the Kremlin has been employing a negotiation tactic aimed at presenting Russia as a global power comparable to the U.S. and as the successor to the 'great power status' of the Soviet Union. "Lavrov's statements from February 1 are aimed at leveraging the prospects of economic agreements or negotiations on strategic arms to sway Trump into concessions regarding the Kremlin's demands on Ukraine, including the desire to exclude Europe from the peace process," ISW concludes.