29.04.2025 22:04
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced that they are in favor of starting unconditional direct negotiations with Ukraine. While evaluating Kiev's call for a 30-day ceasefire, Lavrov also emphasized the importance of negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia is in favor of starting unconditional direct negotiations with Ukraine.
Lavrov made statements to the Russian press after the BRICS foreign ministers' meeting held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
"MOSCOW AGREES TO THE CEASEFIRE PROPOSAL"
Evaluating Ukraine's immediate call for a 30-day unconditional ceasefire against the temporary ceasefire that Russia will implement next week, Lavrov claimed that Moscow fully complied with the 30-day ceasefire proposal aimed at energy infrastructure facilities made by U.S. President Donald Trump some time ago, while Kiev did not comply.
"WE ARE READY FOR DIRECT NEGOTIATIONS"
Lavrov stated that he sent a list of violations made by the Ukrainian army during this period to the United Nations (UN) and U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, saying, "Therefore, we know the cost of ceasefire calls."
Lavrov noted that Kiev had opposed the ceasefire some time ago, but now, due to the position of the Ukrainian army, they have immediately called for a ceasefire, saying, "On the ground, at the front line, in an environment where the Ukrainian regime is increasingly withdrawing, they have changed their positions 180 degrees and have started to demand an immediate ceasefire unconditionally."
Emphasizing that Russia is in favor of starting unconditional direct negotiations with Ukraine, Lavrov shared the assessment, "Our proposal, expressed by Russian President Vladimir Putin, is to start unconditional direct negotiations."
However, Lavrov commented that currently, the ceasefire is viewed as a precondition "to provide more support to Kiev and strengthen its military capabilities."