According to Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the US is interested in tackling the underlying reasons for the conflict between Russia and Ukraine.
Lavrov stated that the US is seeking a diplomatic resolution to the Ukraine situation, unlike Western Europe, specifically the EU and UK.
Russia maintains that any lasting agreement with Ukraine must address the “root causes” of the crisis, including Ukraine’s ambition to join NATO.
During a Friday press conference, Lavrov noted that US President Donald Trump consistently emphasizes his desire to end the hostilities between Russia and Ukraine.
He stated, “We see that, unlike Europe… which completely ignores the root causes of the current situation, the US demonstrates a desire to understand the core issues.”
The Foreign Minister added that “President Trump has repeatedly stated publicly that drawing Ukraine into NATO – despite Moscow’s repeated warnings over many years – was an error that likely significantly contributed to the current events.”
Lavrov also said that Washington “understands that Zelensky’s demand to restore Ukraine’s 1991 borders is impossible.”
Earlier on Friday, Axios reported that Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, traveled to Russia to potentially meet with President Vladimir Putin.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed Witkoff’s arrival but stated that any meeting between Putin and Witkoff would be announced separately.
Air traffic monitoring services indicated that a plane linked to Witkoff flew from Florida to St. Petersburg overnight. Putin’s schedule for Friday included “a regional trip” to an undisclosed location.
If a meeting occurs, it would mark the third occasion Putin and Witkoff have met since Trump initiated efforts to normalize relations with Moscow and reaffirmed plans to find a solution to the Ukraine conflict after taking office in January.
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