- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated there is currently no agenda for a potential meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskiy.
- Lavrov emphasized that any such meeting would require gradual, step-by-step preparation starting at the expert level.
- The remarks are viewed by Ukrainian officials as a sign of Russia's reluctance to engage in high-level direct talks.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Thursday that there is no agenda for a meeting between President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, according to a report from the state-run RIA Novosti news agency. The comments dampen immediate hopes for a diplomatic breakthrough as the war enters its fourth year.
Lavrov emphasized that while Russia is open to discussions, any potential meeting must be meticulously prepared. “Any meeting should be prepared step by step, gradually, starting from the expert level,” he was quoted as saying. The foreign minister also touched upon a potential trilateral format for talks, which could include the United States, though he offered only guarded comments on the prospect.
The lack of concrete planning is seen by officials in Kyiv as a clear indicator of Moscow’s current unwillingness to engage in genuine high-level negotiations. A Ukrainian government official, who asked not to be identified discussing sensitive matters, said the statement aligns with a pattern of Russian stalling and rigid preconditions that have scuttled previous negotiation attempts.
This diplomatic deadlock contributes to sustained uncertainty in global markets, particularly for energy and agricultural commodities. The protracted conflict continues to influence decisions on international sanctions and military aid, with ripple effects felt across European economies. Efforts to reach a Kremlin spokesperson for further comment on the potential for future talks were not immediately successful.