Russia signals diplomatic readiness despite fresh assault on Kyiv
Russia has indicated its willingness to broker a peace agreement over the war in Ukraine, even as it faces fresh backlash following a devastating aerial strike on Kyiv.
Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, in an upcoming full interview with CBS’ Face the Nation, revealed Moscow’s continued interest in pursuing a negotiated settlement. His comments follow a rare rebuke from former US President Donald Trump after Russia’s latest bombardment of Ukraine’s capital.
“The president of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction,” Lavrov stated. “The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal.”
The Russian assault on Kyiv in the early hours of Thursday marked one of the deadliest in recent months. At least 12 civilians were killed, with over 70 others wounded in the attack. The strike has prompted condemnation from global leaders, including an unusually stern response from Donald Trump.
“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV,” Trump posted on his platform Truth Social. “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying. Let’s get the Peace Deal DONE!”
The post was one of Trump’s most forceful criticisms of Russian President Vladimir Putin since the onset of the war.
While reiterating that a deal is within reach, Lavrov admitted that key elements remain unresolved. He declined to share specifics but emphasised the need for detailed discussions.
“There are still some specific points, elements of this which need to be fine-tuned,” he said.
The interview is expected to be broadcast in full on Sunday. Historically, Trump has been more critical of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky than of the Kremlin.
He has frequently questioned the viability of Ukraine reclaiming lost territories, particularly Crimea, annexed by Russia in 2014.
Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Trump expressed confidence that both sides were open to negotiations, downplaying concerns that Russia might obstruct peace efforts.
“We’ll do the best we can working with Ukraine,” Trump said. “But they’ve lost a lot of territory.”
While Russia’s latest comments may suggest a shift towards diplomacy, the fresh assault on Kyiv paints a more complex picture. As international pressure mounts and civilian casualties rise, the world is watching closely to see whether talk of peace can translate into meaningful action.
