Following a May 19th phone call between Presidents Trump and Putin, Russia, through Foreign Minister Lavrov, rejected calls for a Ukrainian ceasefire. Instead, Russia insisted on negotiating a future peace treaty addressing what it terms the “root causes” of the conflict. These negotiations, including a May 16th meeting, saw Russia reiterate maximalist demands, including Ukrainian concessions on Crimea and eastern territories, and featured a low-level Russian delegation, signaling a lack of commitment to meaningful progress. Lavrov accused Western leaders of pressuring Trump for stricter sanctions, further hindering peace efforts.
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The upcoming Ukraine-Russia talks, scheduled for May 15th in Istanbul, will be led by Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. He will head the Russian delegation, which will also include Yuri Ushakov, presidential aide on foreign policy. These high-level representatives underscore the importance Russia places on these negotiations.
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In a press conference, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected calls for a ceasefire along the current front lines, citing Russia’s constitution, which was amended to include illegally annexed Ukrainian territories. Lavrov opposes foreign peacekeeping deployments, arguing that such actions would escalate the conflict rather than de-escalate it. He further asserted that the US was not involved in discussions regarding rare earth metal extraction in occupied Ukrainian regions during a recent Saudi Arabia meeting. Lavrov stated that Russia will only discuss a resolution to the conflict by addressing its root causes. Upcoming US-Russia talks in Istanbul are planned for February 27th.
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Poland’s Foreign Minister Radosław Sikorski dramatically exited an OSCE security meeting in Malta, staging a pointed protest against the presence of his Russian counterpart, Sergei Lavrov. This bold move underscored the deep divisions and escalating tensions stemming from Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine. The symbolism of Sikorski’s walkout resonated far beyond the meeting hall, highlighting the international community’s increasingly fractured response to Russia’s actions.
The walkout wasn’t an isolated incident. Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, and the Czech Republic followed suit, mirroring Poland’s strong stance against Lavrov’s participation. This coordinated departure spoke volumes about the shared concerns and unified disapproval among these nations regarding Russia’s aggression.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood