Serghei Lavrov: Russia will accept international security guarantees only for a friendly Ukraine

The Russian Foreign Minister, Sergey Lavrov, stated that Russia will accept international security guarantees only for a Ukraine that maintains friendly relations with Moscow. He emphasized that any agreement that would allow the maintenance of a hostile regime in Kiev will not ensure lasting peace.

Lavrov claimed that the Russian government is not aware of the details agreed upon between the USA and Ukraine regarding security guarantees. The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, announced that an agreement with the USA is nearly finalized, but American Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the guarantees depend on Russia's reaction and could only be applied after the fighting ceases.

Negotiations for a post-war arrangement continue, while fighting on the front remains intense. Kiev reported that Russia has received a new deadline for the complete occupation of the Donbas region, but Ukrainian officials do not believe that this objective will be met.