Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov confirmed Friday that preparations are underway for a second round of direct talks between Russia and Ukraine, building on the momentum of the May 16 peace negotiations in Istanbul.
He stated that Russia’s draft memorandum of peace is at an “advanced stage” and will be presented to Ukraine in the upcoming round, regardless of further developments on the ground.
Speaking at a diplomatic conference in Moscow, Lavrov welcomed Ukraine’s confirmation of participation in the next meeting, calling it a “positive development” in a conflict that has dragged on for over three years.
“We are finalizing the draft of our peace memorandum,” Lavrov said. “Our objective remains the same — to secure long-term guarantees for Russian-speaking populations and address the systemic issues fueling this conflict.”
Venue Speculation and Vatican Rejection
While speculation swirled over potential venues for the next meeting, the Vatican was ruled out by Lavrov, who said it would be “unrealistic” for two Orthodox-majority nations to resolve critical matters on a Catholic platform. He described such a setting as “inappropriate”, although the Kremlin has yet to announce a confirmed venue, stating it will do so “in due time.”
Background: Progress in Istanbul
The first round of renewed peace talks was held in Istanbul on May 16, 2025, marking the first direct diplomatic engagement between Moscow and Kyiv in more than three years. That meeting produced a significant prisoner exchange deal involving 1,000 detainees from each side, and a draft framework for a potential ceasefire was introduced.
Russia’s Conditions and Firm Stance
Lavrov made clear that Russia will not accept a simple ceasefire unless it addresses what Moscow considers the root causes of the conflict. He reiterated demands for the revocation of Ukrainian laws that Russia claims discriminate against Russian-speaking communities, and said Russia will not allow those populations to remain under the governance of what he described as the “Zelenskyy junta.”
“Peace must mean security, dignity, and cultural rights for all Russian-speaking citizens of Ukraine,” Lavrov said.
Outlook
The forthcoming second round of talks represents a significant step in the ongoing diplomatic process, but deep disagreements remain, particularly over the status of Ukraine’s internal policies, territorial integrity, and security guarantees. With both sides under mounting domestic and international pressure, the direction of the talks may determine whether the conflict moves closer to a negotiated resolution — or a prolonged stalemate.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov will meet with OSCE Secretary General Feridun Sinirlioglu in Moscow to discuss key issues surrounding the organization's role and its cooperation with Russia amidst ongoing challenges.
Russian FM Sergey Lavrov criticised Macron's nuclear remarks as a threat and dismissed his claims about Russia endangering Europe as “stupid.” He warned that deploying EU troops in Ukraine would mean direct war with Russia, equating it to NATO’s presence.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov praised Donald Trump for his “common sense” in seeking to end the Russia-Ukraine conflict. He criticised past U.S. administrations, condemned the idea of European peacekeepers in Ukraine, and stressed the need for cooperation despite political differences.
Russian and U.S. diplomats will meet in Istanbul to discuss diplomatic disputes, seen as a step toward ending the Ukraine war. Talks follow recent Putin-Trump discussions, with business ties and ceasefire prospects on the agenda.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
German police say 12 people were injured in a knife attack at Hamburg’s main train station on Friday.
Iran and the U.S. ended a fresh round of indirect talks in Rome, as negotiators hope to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to strip Harvard University of its ability to enrol international students, following a lawsuit that marks a major escalation in tensions between the White House and the Ivy League institution.
At Computex 2025 in Taipei, standout innovations included Acer's affordable smart ring, Asus's gamer-centric split keyboard, and MSI's AMD-powered Claw A8 handheld gaming device.
Tensions flare in the India-France Rafale deal as France refuses to share the fighter jet’s source code, limiting India’s ability to integrate indigenous weapons and reducing its combat autonomy.
France has rejected India’s request to share source codes needed to integrate indigenous weapons into Rafale fighter jets. Despite repeated appeals, French manufacturer Dassault Aviation has refused to compromise on the issue
Anton Kobyakov, adviser to Russian President Vladimir Putin, claimed at the St. Petersburg International Legal Forum that the USSR’s dissolution was legally invalid and that the Soviet Union still exists under constitutional law, framing the Ukraine war as an “internal process.”
In a region long defined by conflict and complex history, AnewZ set out to hear the voices that matter most- those of the people.
Two staff members from the Israeli embassy in Washington, D.C.- Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were shot and killed on Wednesday night by a lone gunman as they left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum, close to the White House.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
German police say 12 people were injured in a knife attack at Hamburg’s main train station on Friday.
Iran and the U.S. ended a fresh round of indirect talks in Rome, as negotiators hope to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to strip Harvard University of its ability to enrol international students, following a lawsuit that marks a major escalation in tensions between the White House and the Ivy League institution.
Emergency crews were called to the Sanders Lodge Industrial Estate in England's East Midlands region.
North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has ordered the arrest of those responsible for the failed launch of the country’s second naval destroyer, calling the incident an “unpardonable criminal act” and demanding accountability amid skepticism over the extent of damage to the warship.
German police say 12 people were injured in a knife attack at Hamburg’s main train station on Friday.
Iran and the U.S. ended a fresh round of indirect talks in Rome, as negotiators hope to resolve a decades-long dispute over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration’s attempt to strip Harvard University of its ability to enrol international students, following a lawsuit that marks a major escalation in tensions between the White House and the Ivy League institution.
At Computex 2025 in Taipei, standout innovations included Acer's affordable smart ring, Asus's gamer-centric split keyboard, and MSI's AMD-powered Claw A8 handheld gaming device.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment