NBC host repeatedly pushes Russian overseas minister to confess to invading Ukraine

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NBC's "Meet the Press" host Kristen Welker pressed Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov repeatedly on Sunday on whether or not he acknowledged Russia had invaded Ukraine, as Lavrov accused the NBC host of wanting one thing to "promote" throughout her present.

"Did Russia invade Ukraine, Mr. International minister? Did Russia invade Ukraine?" Welker requested Lavrov.

Welker additionally pressed Lavrov whether or not he believed Ukraine had a proper to exist, earlier than she pushed the Russian overseas minister to acknowledge that Russia had invaded Ukraine.

"Russia began [a] particular navy operation to defend the individuals who [Ukrainian President Volodymyr] Zelenskyy and his predecessor didn't take into account as people," Lavrov stated. "They referred to as them being suspicious. You need to, look, you need to actually — I perceive that you just want one thing to promote in the present day — however if you're elevating and touching up on such severe issues, my suggestion is to check out the historical past of Ukrainian growth after the coup in 2014."

NBC host Kristen Welker speaks throughout ‘Meet the Press’ on Sunday, August 24, 2025. Russian overseas minister Sergey Lavrov applauds on the Brics Summit 2025 at Museu de Arte Moderna on July 6, 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Screenshot through NBC’s ‘Meet the Press; Picture by Wagner Meier/Getty Photographs)

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Welker famous it was a yes-or-no query and requested once more, "Do you acknowledge Russia invaded Ukraine?"

"I stated to you that we began particular navy operations," Lavrov replied. "To guard the individuals whom the regime declared terrorists and enemies and whom the regime was bombing."

Welker then requested whether or not Russian President Vladimir Putin wished peace, to which Lavrov responded, "Sure."

The NBC host additionally requested what he would say to U.S. lawmakers who imagine Russia is stringing alongside President Donald Trump .

U.S. President Donald Trump (R) greets Russian President Vladimir Putin as he arrives at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson on Aug. 15, 2025 in Anchorage, Alaska. The 2 leaders are assembly for peace talks aimed toward ending the warfare in Ukraine. (Getty Photographs/ Andrew Harnik)

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"It isn't for the lawmakers or for any media retailers to determine, , what President Trump is motivated by," Lavrov stated. "We respect President Trump as a result of President Trump defends American nationwide pursuits, they usually have motive to imagine that President Trump respects President Putin as a result of he defends Russian nationwide pursuits, and no matter they focus on between themselves isn't the key. We would like peace in Ukraine. He desires, President Trump desires, peace in Ukraine. The response to Anchorage assembly, the gathering in Washington of those European representatives, and what they have been doing after Washington, signifies that they don’t need peace," he stated.

Trump met with Zelenskyy and different European leaders on the White Home earlier this week, simply days after assembly with Putin in Alaska, and stated he has roughly two weeks to find out how the U.S. will proceed in the ongoing negotiations .

President Donald Trump meets with Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy within the Oval Workplace on the White Home, Aug. 18, 2025, in Washington. ((AP Picture/Julia Demaree Nikhinson))

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Trump advised reporters on Friday that he would have a greater sense of whether or not a deal that ends the battle is possible and what sort of actions the U.S. ought to take transferring ahead on negotiations within the coming weeks.

"We'll see what occurs. I believe over the following two weeks, we'll discover out which method it will go," Trump stated.

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"It'll be a vital resolution," Trump stated. "And that is whether or not or not it is large sanctions or large tariffs, or each. Or can we do nothing and say, ‘It is your struggle?’"