Lavrov Signals Russia Is Open to New Political Talks With Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said Moscow is prepared to discuss the political dimensions of a settlement with Ukraine, reiterating that the Kremlin does not rule out any negotiation format, whether bilateral or involving third parties. In a state-television interview aired late 19 Aug. and echoed in comments the next day, Lavrov stressed that any leader-level contact would require “meticulous preparation,” signalling a cautious but open stance toward reviving diplomacy after months of stalled talks. Lavrov’s remarks leave open the possibility of a summit between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, an idea U.S. officials have recently said they are willing to facilitate. While offering no timeline, the minister underscored that preparatory work should begin at expert level before heads of state meet, and warned against what he called Western efforts to “drag the United States into their hostile campaign to strengthen Ukraine as a tool to deter Russia.” The comments mark the first public signal since early summer that Russia may re-engage in direct negotiations aimed at ending the 2024 invasion, which has entered its fourth year with front lines largely frozen. Kyiv has not yet responded publicly to Lavrov’s latest overture; Ukrainian officials have previously insisted that any talks must respect the country’s territorial integrity.