Rubio's diplomatic push: Kremlin talks aim for ceasefire
Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke on Sunday, at the request of the Kremlin, with Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, the U.S. Department of State announced on Monday morning. Rubio emphasized the need for an immediate end to the war.
What do you need to know?
- Rubio's conversation with Lavrov took place at the request of the Kremlin, and the main topic was the need to end the war.
- The United States underscores the seriousness of the situation and the importance of ending the conflict.
- Russia sets conditions for starting negotiations, which include the recognition of the annexation of Crimea and the lifting of sanctions.
What are the key aspects of the talks?
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio spoke with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the request of the Kremlin.
The conversation took place after the visit of special envoy Steve Witkoff to Moscow. "The Secretary underscored to his Russian counterpart the next steps in Russia-Ukraine peace talks and the need to end the war now," reads the statement from Washington. "The United States is serious about facilitating an end to this senseless war.
What conditions does Russia set?
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an interview with the Brazilian newspaper "O Globo," listed Russia's conditions for starting talks.
Among these are international recognition of the annexation of Crimea and other seized regions of Ukraine, "demilitarization" and "denazification" of Ukraine, as well as the lifting of sanctions and unfreezing of Russian assets.
