Photo: Getty Images
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the U.S. approach to ending Russia’s war against Ukraine takes into account the current situation on the battlefield.
According to Lavrov, Moscow views Washington’s focus on what he called the “realities on the ground” as a positive signal and is prepared to continue the dialogue.
“This naturally receives a positive response from us and creates a willingness to continue talks with them,” Lavrov said.
He claimed that President Donald Trump’s administration recognizes what Moscow considers the key issues and is seeking a possible solution.
Moscow rejects European calls for ceasefire
Lavrov also criticized recent calls by European leaders for an immediate ceasefire.
He referred to statements by Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who have publicly called for an urgent halt to fighting.
Lavrov claimed that such calls were aimed at buying time for Ukraine and linked them to Kyiv’s efforts to obtain additional air-defense systems and missiles.
“Behind this there is also a desire to gain time — everyone understands this very well,” Lavrov said.
At the same time, the Russian foreign minister did not disclose whether U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner had reached any concrete agreements with Russian President Vladimir Putin during their recent contacts.
On September 8, U.S. President Donald Trump and Putin held another telephone conversation.
A day earlier, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy commented on the peace proposals brought by Witkoff and described several of the ideas as worthy of further discussion.
