Sergei Lavrov, Russia's foreign minister, said on Thursday that President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet his Ukrainian counterpart, Volodymyr Zelenskyy—but only after all major sticking points are ironed out in advance.
Lavrov laid out two firm conditions: comprehensive expert and minister-level planning for high-stakes issues, and clarity on whether Zelenskyy has the authority to sign any future peace deal. According to Lavrov, questions over the Ukrainian leader's mandate remain unresolved, as ongoing fighting since early 2022 has delayed scheduled elections due this May.
A Push for U.S. Support
In Kyiv, Zelenskyy urged the United States to back a direct meeting if Russia remains reluctant. "We responded immediately to the proposal for a bilateral meeting," he said, "but what if the Russians are not ready? We would like to see a strong reaction from the United States."
Western capitals are grappling with how to provide security guarantees to Ukraine while keeping Russia at the table. European leaders, skeptical of Putin's commitment to peace, are seeking a framework that could involve minimal U.S. troops but robust international monitoring.
The Road Ahead
Hungary, Russia's closest EU ally, has twice offered to host peace talks in Budapest, though Zelenskyy called such an option "challenging." Lavrov meanwhile dismissed fresh proposals, arguing that any departure from the 2022 Istanbul discussions — which Kyiv rejected over concerns of a Moscow veto on military aid — is doomed to fail.
As diplomatic momentum builds, the question remains: Can all sides bridge the gulf between war and peace? For now, the focus is on building trust, defining mandates, and finding a venue where both leaders can meet face to face.
Reference(s):
Putin prepared to meet Zelenskyy but legitimacy an issue, Lavrov says
cgtn.com
