Lavrov states Russia will declare upcoming discussions with Ukraine soon
(MENAFN) Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Monday that Moscow will soon reveal the date for the next direct peace talks with Ukraine, though he did not specify a timeline or location for the meeting
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The last round of negotiations took place on May 16 in Istanbul, marking the first direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine since talks collapsed in 2022. During that meeting, both sides agreed on a large prisoner exchange—1,000 prisoners each—which was completed on Sunday, and committed to drafting a memorandum outlining a roadmap toward resolving the conflict. Lavrov stated that the document is now at an “advanced stage.”
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The last round of negotiations took place on May 16 in Istanbul, marking the first direct dialogue between Russia and Ukraine since talks collapsed in 2022. During that meeting, both sides agreed on a large prisoner exchange—1,000 prisoners each—which was completed on Sunday, and committed to drafting a memorandum outlining a roadmap toward resolving the conflict. Lavrov stated that the document is now at an “advanced stage.”
Russia views these talks as a crucial platform to achieve lasting peace by addressing the conflict’s root causes. While no details about the next meeting have been announced, the Vatican has offered to host, and Turkey’s Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan expressed readiness to facilitate another round. So far, Russia has not accepted these offers.
Lavrov emphasized that Russia will continue to demand the repeal of discriminatory laws against Russian speakers in Ukraine, a key point raised during the first round. Moscow accuses Ukraine of suppressing the rights of Russian-speaking citizens, particularly through language restrictions limiting the use of Russian.
Lavrov also condemned the current Ukrainian government under President Zelensky, calling it a “junta,” and warned it would be a “major crime” to leave millions of Russian speakers under its rule after the conflict ends. Russia insists on Ukraine’s permanent neutrality and non-nuclear status, referencing Ukraine’s 1991 Declaration of Independence, which included a promise to remain neutral—a pledge that was later reversed by constitutional amendments committing Ukraine to NATO membership. Moscow considers this reversal a primary cause of the war and insists on restoring that commitment as part of any peace settlement.
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