Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov accused Western nations on Sunday of attempting to “halt” peace negotiations aimed at resolving the conflict in Ukraine, following a rapid series of diplomatic efforts that now seem to be at an impasse.

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has advocated for a direct meeting between the leaders of Ukraine and Russia. However, both parties have pointed fingers at one another for their reluctance to move forward with the discussions.

“They are merely seeking an excuse to obstruct negotiations,” Lavrov stated during an interview with state television outlet Rossiya, which was broadcast on Telegram Sunday.

He criticized Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for “unyieldingly pushing for conditions and demanding an urgent meeting at any cost” with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Lavrov further accused the Ukrainian government of “attempting to hinder the process initiated by Presidents Putin and Trump, which has produced very favorable outcomes.”

“We are hopeful that these efforts will be unsuccessful,” he concluded.

On Friday, Lavrov confirmed that “no meeting” was scheduled between Zelensky and Putin.

Earlier this week, Zelensky indicated that Russia was “trying to avoid holding a meeting.”

Zelensky has expressed his readiness to meet with Putin, but only after receiving security guarantees for Ukraine from his allies to prevent further Russian aggression once hostilities cease.

Moscow has asserted that discussions about such guarantees cannot occur without its involvement and condemned any potential presence of European troops in Ukraine as “totally unacceptable.”