MOSCOW
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Monday that a new meeting between Russia and the US will take place later this week.
Speaking at a news conference with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan in Ankara, Lavrov said full-fledged Russia-US talks are set for this week to address obstacles in the operation of diplomatic missions.
Lavrov also said he briefed Fidan on the results of last week’s talks with the US in Saudi Arabia.
“We have informed our Turkish friends in detail about the Russian-American talks that took place on February 18 in Riyadh, which were highly appreciated in terms of the opportunity to finally have a normal dialogue, despite the numerous contradictions that, of course, persist,” he said.
Asked about the prospects of a settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, the top Russian diplomat said Moscow is ready for talks with Ukraine, Europe, and any willing party, but that combat will cease only when a settlement acceptable to Moscow is reached.
He recalled that Russia several times announced cease-fires but that Ukraine used them to reinforce its positions.
“We are ready to negotiate with Ukraine, Europe, and any representatives who would like to help achieve peace in good faith, but we will stop fighting only when these negotiations produce a firm and sustainable result that suits the Russian Federation,” he said.
He also said an agreement with Ukraine was reached in Istanbul in April 2022, but former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson blocked it and the West obstructed its implementation to weaken Russia.
According to Lavrov, Moscow is expecting the appointment of a US representative for negotiations with Russia on the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.
He also noted that Ukraine’s non-accession to NATO should be a must in any future peace agreement.
