Kremlin ready for deal with US on Ukraine, but with condition - Russian Foreign Minister
Sergey Lavrov (Photo: Getty Images)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the Kremlin is ready to reach an agreement with the US regarding Ukraine. However, he noted that some elements need to be 'refined,' according to an interview with CBC News.
In addition to the statement about the agreement, Lavrov commented on US President Donald Trump and his efforts to end the war in Ukraine.
"The President of the US believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction," said the Russian Foreign Minister.
His statements came after Russia launched strikes on Kyiv on the night of Thursday, April 24, resulting in fatalities and dozens of injuries, as well as attacks on other cities in Ukraine. The publication notes that the attack on the capital was the deadliest in recent months and occurred while Trump was promoting his proposal to end the war.
When asked by the host why civilians were killed after Ukraine had announced its readiness for a ceasefire as early as March, Lavrov began spouting typical Russian propaganda slogans.
"We only target military goals or civilian sites used by the military. President Putin expressed this for so many times, and this is not different this time as well," responded the Russian Foreign Minister.
Regarding negotiations with Ukraine, Lavrov stated that there were several signs that we are moving in the right direction. One of these signs, he claimed, was that Trump was probably the only leader on Earth who realized the need to address the root causes of this situation.
Trump's reaction to the Russian attack and the pursuit of peace
Yesterday, the President of the US stated that he was dissatisfied with Russia's missile strikes on Kyiv. He called for an end to the war.
"I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let's get the Peace Deal DONE!" Trump wrote, without specifying which Vladimir he was referring to.
Earlier, Trump had stated that an agreement between Ukraine and Russia could be reached this week, adding that both countries, along with the US, could make fortunes together.
It is also worth noting that last week, a meeting took place in Paris between the US, Ukraine, and some European representatives. Afterward, media reports revealed that another meeting was scheduled for this week, on April 23, but it would be held in London. It was claimed that this meeting was supposed to be final to agree on a unified stance regarding the end of the war, after which Trump's special representative, Steve Witkoff, would pass the relevant information to Moscow.
However, the meeting in London was disrupted and took place with lower-ranking officials (except for Ukraine). The media speculated that the reason was Trump's plan to recognize Crimea as Russian, but Volodymyr Zelenskyy recently told journalists that Ukraine does not recognize Crimea as Russian. Soon after, Trump posted on his social media, and the same message was later echoed by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, stating that no one specifically demands that Ukraine recognize Crimea as Russian. However, according to media reports, European countries are also opposed to recognizing the Ukrainian peninsula as part of Russia.
Despite the change in the format of the meeting, Trump’s special representative for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, was present in London.
Yesterday, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that after the meeting in London, a new document regarding Ukraine was formed. He also added that this document has already been handed over to Trump.
