Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday he was ready to hold an in-person meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio to discuss Ukraine but stressed Moscow’s conditions for ending the war had not changed.
“Secretary of State Marco Rubio and I understand the need for regular communication,” Russia’s top diplomat said in an interview with Ria Novosti state news agency. It is important for discussing the Ukrainian issue and promoting the bilateral agenda. That is why we communicate by telephone and are ready to hold face-to-face meetings when necessary," Lavrov went on saying.
Lavrov’s remarks follow speculations about his falling out of favor with the Kremlin after the failed meeting between Vladimir Putin and Donald Trump. The meeting scheduled to be held in Budapest, Hungary last month was cancelled after the Russian Foreign Ministry sent a message indicating the Kremlin was not prepared to yield on its demands over Ukraine.
The Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitriy Peskov on Friday dismissed reports about Lavrov’s possible dismissal over lack of result in discussions with Washington.
In the interview Lavrov further said that Putin-Trump meeting held in Anchorage, Alaska in the summer should remain the basis of a potential deal to end the aggression against Ukraine. “At the time, the Americans assured us they would be able to ensure that Volodymyr Zelenskiy did not impede the peace process. Apparently, certain difficulties have arisen in this regard,” Lavrov said. He also criticized Brussels and London for allegedly trying to persuade Trump administration to abandon its intention to resolve the Ukraine war through diplomatic and political means and to fully engage in efforts to exert military pressure on Russia.
Almost four years after Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops continue to push forward, now controlling roughly 19% of Ukrainian territory - areas Moscow claims as part of Russia, though Ukraine and Western nations insist they will never recognize this annexation Almost four years after Putin ordered the invasion of Ukraine, Russian troops continue to push forward, now controlling roughly 19% of Ukrainian territory - areas Moscow claims as part of Russia, though Ukraine and Western nations insist they will never recognize this annexation.
