Lavrov: New Round of Russia-Ukraine Talks to Be Announced Soon

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Monday that a new round of negotiations between Russia and Ukraine will be announced shortly, following the initial meeting held in Istanbul earlier this month.

Lavrov emphasized that Russia had insisted during the Istanbul talks on the abolition of Ukraine’s “discriminatory laws” and will continue to press this demand in the next round. He also reiterated Russia’s conditions for resolving the conflict, including Ukraine’s return to a neutral, non-aligned, and non-nuclear status.

The minister further expressed concern over the increasing presence of NATO forces near Russia’s borders, calling the buildup “alarming” and a threat to regional stability.