MOSCOW — Russia’s Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov, said on Wednesday that a fresh round of direct talks between Moscow and Kyiv is on the horizon a rare sign of diplomatic movement in a war that has devastated Ukraine for more than three years.
Speaking to reporters, Lavrov confirmed that discussions are underway to announce the new meeting, though he offered no date or location.
“A new round of negotiations will be announced shortly,” Lavrov said, as quoted by Russian state media.
But any hopes of a breakthrough were tempered by familiar demands. Lavrov reiterated what he described as one of Moscow’s core conditions for ending the war: that Ukraine must return to a neutral stance, free from military alliances and nuclear ambitions.
“Ukraine’s neutrality, non-alignment, and nuclear-free status remain among our key requirements,” he said.
Kyiv has previously rejected similar terms, arguing they amount to surrendering sovereignty and leaving the country vulnerable to future attacks.
The announcement follows the first face-to-face meeting between Russian and Ukrainian representatives in more than two years. That session, held in Istanbul on 16 May, ended without progress toward a ceasefire or roadmap for peace.
Ukraine’s side has remained publicly cautious. Senior officials in President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government have said any deal must include the withdrawal of Russian troops and the full restoration of Ukrainian territory including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
Zelensky has also made clear that Ukraine intends to continue pursuing deeper ties with the European Union and NATO, a red line for the Kremlin.
Meanwhile, the humanitarian toll continues to climb. Thousands have been killed since the full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with millions displaced from their homes. The war has also had far-reaching consequences across the global economy, fueling inflation and disrupting food and energy supplies.
Western powers have welcomed the idea of renewed dialogue but remain sceptical of Russia’s intentions. NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg recently told reporters that “genuine negotiations require good faith,” adding that any talks must respect Ukraine’s right to self-defence.
For now, it remains unclear whether the upcoming talks will be substantive or simply another diplomatic pause in a grinding war that shows few signs of resolution.
Despite the announcement, fighting continues along several fronts, including in eastern Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Moscow’s forces have recently intensified missile and drone strikes, while Ukraine continues to push back with limited counteroffensives and long-range attacks behind enemy lines.
Whether the next round of talks can break the deadlock or simply reinforce existing divides remains to be seen.
