Russia is preparing to present Ukraine with a draft peace proposal once a recent prisoner swap concludes, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Friday, signaling a potential step forward in peace efforts.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday that Moscow will soon hand Ukraine a draft document outlining conditions for a long-term peace agreement, contingent on the completion of an ongoing prisoner exchange. His remarks, posted on the Foreign Ministry’s website, emphasized Russia’s stated commitment to a diplomatic resolution to the war, which has now stretched beyond three years.
“We are finalizing a document that lays out the path toward a reliable and lasting peace,” Lavrov said. “Once the prisoner exchange is complete, we will share this draft with the Ukrainian side.”
Both countries released 390 prisoners on Friday, part of a broader agreement reached during recent discussions in Turkey. More releases are expected in the coming days, suggesting a rare window of cooperation.
However, Lavrov also condemned Ukraine for launching a surge of drone attacks on Russian territory, claiming over 800 strikes in just three days. He accused European nations of encouraging these actions during recent visits to Kyiv, asserting that the goal was to derail ongoing peace efforts.
“These attacks are a direct outcome of European leaders’ support for Kyiv’s military operations,” Lavrov stated. “We are confident that those responsible will be held accountable.”
He further suggested the drone strikes were intended to sabotage progress made in Istanbul, where Russian and Ukrainian delegations had reportedly made headway under the auspices of U.S. President Donald Trump.
Despite the rising tensions, Lavrov affirmed that Russia would continue to pursue the peace track “regardless of provocations.”
Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities have said little about the drone operations but acknowledged targeting a battery plant in Russia’s Lipetsk region. In retaliation, Russia struck Odesa's port infrastructure with missiles on Friday, killing two people, according to local officials.
Ukraine has also reported being the target of heavy drone attacks by Russia, including a massive strike last Sunday that destroyed homes and killed one woman. The exchange of accusations underscores the fragile state of the conflict, even amid signs of possible negotiation.
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Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 23rd of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
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