Ready to move forward with US plan: Kremlin makes statement on war in Ukraine
Photo: Sergey Lavrov, Minsiter of Foreign Affairs of Russia (Getty Images)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says that Russia is ready to accept the US concept for ending the war in Ukraine and intends to move forward based on the framework proposed by Washington.
"Russian President Vladimir Putin (during the Alaska summit - ed.) went over every element of the concept presented by US President's special envoy Steve Witkoff and asked him—since he was present at the negotiations in Anchorage—"Is this correct? Is it so?" Everything was confirmed," Lavrov said.
According to Lavrov, after this, Putin stated that Russia is ready to accept the US concept and move forward practically on the proposed basis. At the same time, Lavrov claimed that there was no direct response from the US side.
"The parties agreed to pause to consider the proposals and discuss the outcomes of the talks with allies," he added.
What the Center for Strategic Communications says
Andriy Kovalenko, head of the Center for Strategic Communications of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council (RNBO), said that Russia is trying to appear as a peacemaker ahead of the Trump-Xi Jinping meeting. Without a ceasefire, all of this is fake.
"You can only believe it after a ceasefire. Until then, it's all empty talk aimed at avoiding additional sanctions," Kovalenko said.
He added that after the failed visit of Putin's adviser Kirill Dmitriev to the US, which was meant to prevent new sanctions, Russia faces new blows, particularly targeting cryptocurrencies. Therefore, the Russians want to buy time again but not end the war.
"It's important to understand this plan and continue demanding a ceasefire. That's the only thing that matters," the RNBO official added.
US steps up pressure on Russia
This week, US President Donald Trump is set to meet with Chinese leader Xi Jinping. The White House said Trump intends to discuss Russia's war against Ukraine and hopes Beijing will influence Moscow.
Additionally, on the night of October 23, the US announced sanctions against Russia's largest oil companies, Rosneft and Lukoil, along with 36 subsidiaries.
In a statement, the US Treasury added that it calls on Russia to immediately agree to a ceasefire.
Reuters also reported that Washington has prepared new anti-Russian sanctions in case Putin continues to delay ending the war. However, for now, the US is waiting for steps from Europe.
