Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Monday that Russia and the US will hold new talks later this week to resolve issues related to diplomatic missions. Speaking alongside his Turkish counterpart, Hakan Fidan, in Ankara, Lavrov highlighted the importance of recent discussions with US officials in Saudi Arabia, describing them as a rare opportunity for constructive dialogue despite ongoing tensions.
Lavrov reaffirmed Russia’s readiness to negotiate with Ukraine, Europe, and other willing parties but insisted that fighting would continue until a settlement acceptable to Moscow is reached. He accused Ukraine of using previous cease-fires to bolster its positions and reiterated that Ukraine’s exclusion from NATO should be a key element of any future agreement.
The Russian diplomat also claimed that a peace agreement negotiated in Istanbul in 2022 was blocked by former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, with Western powers aiming to weaken Russia by preventing its implementation. Lavrov added that Moscow awaits the appointment of a US representative for future talks on resolving the Ukrainian conflict.
