Russia Prepares to Present Draft of Peace Accord Following Prisoner Release, According to Lavrov
(Reuters) - Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has disclosed that Moscow will present a draft document outlining the conditions for a durable peace treaty with Ukraine following the completion of a prisoner exchange between the two nations.
In statements on his ministry's website, Lavrov affirmed Russia's commitment to working towards a peaceful resolution in the more-than-three-year war between Moscow and Kyiv.
However, Lavrov accused Ukraine of conducting multiple repeated drone attacks on Russian targets, causing casualties and disrupting air traffic over several days. He suggested these attacks were instigated by European countries in an attempt to sabotage peace negotiations led by U.S. President Donald Trump.
On Friday, both Russia and Ukraine exchanged 390 prisoners, with plans to free more detainees in the near future. These releases were the result of talks between the two countries' officials, which took place in Turkey last week.
"We remain steadfast in our pursuit of a peace settlement. We are always open to dialogue, and I reiterate that we are committed to the agreements reached recently in Istanbul," Lavrov said.
"For the second part of the agreements, we are actively preparing drafts from both parties setting out the conditions for a dependable, long-term peace settlement." Lavrov added that these drafts will be delivered to Ukraine once the exchange of prisoners of war is completed.
According to Lavrov, the escalating drone attacks by Ukraine, estimated to number around 800 over the past three days, are a direct consequence of support provided by European Union countries whose leaders recently visited Kyiv.
"We are confident that they (the European nations) will bear accountability for their role in these crimes," Lavrov stated.
"These attacks on Ukraine are clearly an attempt to derail peace talks and undermine the progress made in Istanbul following the agreements between the presidents of Russia and the United States…We will persevere with this effort regardless of provocation."
In response to the drone attacks, Lavrov's ministry had earlier vowed retaliation.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Kyiv is awaiting Russia's proposals regarding the terms of talks, a ceasefire, and a meeting between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Sybiha also expressed support for involving U.S. President Donald Trump in a broader meeting format. "We believe that such a meeting could take place in an expanded format, and we would be delighted if President Trump were included," Sybiha said.
In addition to the escalating drone strikes, Ukraine has reportedly been the target of missile attacks by Russia. Authorities in Kiev have acknowledged striking a battery plant in Russia's central Lipetsk region. Incidents of shelling in eastern Donetsk region and a missile strike on port infrastructure in southern Odesa have also claimed lives.
"Despite the escalating drone attacks on Russian targets, which Lavrov accused Ukraine and possibly European countries of instigating as a means to sabotage peace negotiations, he stressed Russia's commitment to ongoing dialogue for peace settlements, as exemplified by the recent prisoner exchange and agreements reached in Istanbul. However, Lavrov declared that Russia will hold European nations accountable for their role in these alleged crimes."
"In response to the mounting tensions, including the drone attacks and reported missile attacks, both Russia and Ukraine are expressing their openness towards further dialogues involving the U.S., with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha welcoming President Donald Trump's potential inclusion in broader meeting formats."
