Russia’s Lavrov guidelines out territorial concessions as a part of Ukraine peace talks

Russian Overseas Minister Sergey Lavrov on Feb. 17 mentioned there could possibly be "no considered" territorial concessions to Ukraine on the eve of talks with the U.S. over learn how to finish Moscow's full-scale invasion.

Russia illegally annexed Ukraine's Crimea peninsula in 2014, in addition to the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk oblasts in 2022.

Russia's claims to have annexed the 4 oblasts of their entirety had been made regardless of not controlling all of them, together with two regional capitals – Kherson and Zaporizhzhia.

Final yr, Russian President Vladimir Putin mentioned that as a situation for peace negotiations, Ukrainian troops should depart Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia oblasts.

"Territorial concessions to what’s now referred to as Ukraine had been made by the Soviet management in the course of the formation of the united states," Lavrov mentioned in feedback reported by Reuters.

Lavrov's feedback got here after it was introduced that he and Kremlin international coverage advisor Yuri Ushakov will fly to Saudi Arabia for talks with a U.S. delegation about learn how to finish the battle in Ukraine, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov mentioned on Feb. 17.

"They’re anticipated to carry a gathering with their American counterparts on Tuesday, which is able to focus totally on restoring your complete complicated of Russian-American relations," Peskov mentioned.

The U.S. delegation will likely be led by State Secretary Marco Rubio, Nationwide Safety Adviser Mike Waltz, and Center East envoy Steve Witkoff.

NBC Information reported on Feb. 16, citing two U.S. officers, that the intention is for the U.S. to host a bilateral assembly with Russia, adopted by a bilateral assembly with Ukraine, and culminating with talks collectively.

U.S. President Donald Trump reaffirmed on Feb. 16 that Zelensky would have a say within the course of and talked about the opportunity of permitting European nations to buy U.S.-made weapons for Ukraine.

Rubio echoed comparable feedback stating that Ukraine and Europe should play a job in severe negotiations with the U.S. and Russia to finish the battle.

’23 invaders destroyed’ — Ukraine’s special forces release video of operation behind Russian linesUkrainian troops reportedly held their positions for two days amid “intense fighting,” during which 23 Russian soldiers were killed.The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk