Lavrov: Russia open to talks, rejects ceasefire with Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed Moscow's readiness to negotiate with Kyiv but rejected a simultaneous ceasefire, while Ukrainian President Zelenskiy was urged to visit Moscow for talks, amid US efforts to resume negotiations.
Translated by Qiyas from الجريدة — Original source
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is ready for negotiations with Kyiv but rejects a simultaneous ceasefire in its war against Ukraine, according to a report published on Saturday by the official Russian news agency TASS.
Lavrov, speaking on the sidelines of the BRICS summit, which describes itself as a counterweight to the West, held in New Delhi, affirmed that the Russian government does not lack goodwill.
The Russian foreign minister said: “We remain ready for negotiations, but military operations will not be suspended during the negotiation period.”
Lavrov renewed Moscow’s offer to hold talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He reiterated his call for Zelenskyy to visit Moscow for negotiations, saying: “If he wants to meet, let him come... This is already a huge gesture of goodwill on our part.”
Zelenskyy has firmly rejected this offer, which was made to him months ago by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov also called on Zelenskyy to hold talks in Moscow. Speaking in New Delhi, Peskov told the state news agency TASS, in response to speculation about a potential meeting between the two presidents at the G20 summit in Miami in December: “If he really wants to speak with Putin, he should come to Moscow.” Ukraine is not a member of the G20.
The United States is working to resume negotiations between Moscow and Kyiv. Speculation includes a potential three-way summit involving Putin, Zelenskyy, and U.S. President Donald Trump.
