Lavrov signals Russia is ready to make a deal to end bloody war in Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed the Kremlin’s willingness to negotiate a deal to bring an end to the ongoing war in Ukraine, which has been a source of conflict for over three years. In an interview excerpt set to air on Sunday, Lavrov spoke to CBS News about the progress of talks between Ukraine and Russia, agreeing with President Donald Trump’s assessment that they were “moving in the right direction.”
Lavrov’s comments come in the wake of Trump’s criticism of Russian President Vladimir Putin, urging him to cease the deadly strikes in Ukraine. Trump took to social media to voice his disapproval, stating, “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5,000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the peace deal DONE.”
Despite the positive momentum in negotiations, Lavrov mentioned that there are still some specific points and elements of the deal that require further refinement. However, he did not elaborate on the details being discussed. Additionally, Lavrov made it clear that Russia would not relinquish control of Crimea, which was annexed from Ukraine in 2014. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has affirmed that Ukraine does not recognize Russian authority over Crimea, citing constitutional reasons.
In response to Zelenskyy’s stance, Trump criticized the Ukrainian president for making “inflammatory” remarks that could hinder peace efforts. Trump emphasized the importance of reaching an agreement between Russia and Ukraine, urging both parties to prioritize peace over territorial disputes.
While the U.S. has proposed a peace deal to Putin, the Russian leader has yet to agree to the terms, leaving the specifics of a potential agreement uncertain. Despite the challenges, the Trump administration remains optimistic about the prospects of ending the conflict. Trump highlighted the desire for peace from both Ukraine and Russia, indicating that they are prepared to make progress towards a resolution.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio echoed Trump’s sentiments, emphasizing that the war in Ukraine is “endable” if both sides are willing to cooperate. Rubio noted positive developments in recent meetings focused on ending the conflict and stressed the importance of achieving peace in the region, especially in light of Russia’s continued military strikes in Ukraine.
The ongoing efforts to broker a peace deal between Ukraine and Russia underscore the need for diplomatic solutions to mitigate the violence and restore stability in the region. As negotiations continue, the international community remains hopeful for a peaceful resolution to the conflict in Ukraine.
