Lavrov Announces Fast Presentation of Russia’s “Memorandum” on Settlement After Prisoner Exchange
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made a loud statement that could mark a new step in diplomatic efforts by the parties to resolve the conflict. According to him, Russia plans to present Ukraine with "the first draft of a settlement document" immediately after the completion of the prisoner exchange. This means that, based on initial information from Russian diplomats, work on the corresponding "memorandum" is already in the final stages and should be ready for discussion immediately after the prisoner exchange process is completed. According to information circulated by the Russian state agency TASS, Lavrov stated that Moscow is actively working on this document and is striving to reach a compromise with Kyiv as quickly as possible. However, some experts and Ukrainian officials express skepticism regarding the Kremlin’s real intentions and the likelihood of a swift resolution of the conflict through this document. Additionally, the Russian Foreign Minister made an unexpected statement regarding the current situation. According to Lavrov, Ukrainian military attacks on civilian objects within Russia, including the "Energia" plant in the city of Yeletsk in the Lipetsk region, are allegedly "a direct consequence of Europe's support for Ukraine." The "Energia" plant, known for producing batteries for aircraft bombs and Iskander missiles for over a year, was struck, causing concern and rejection among Ukrainian society. Russian representatives suggest that such attacks are a response to military aid Kyiv receives from the West, viewing this as an unfair "retaliation" from Ukraine. In the context of diplomatic negotiations, it should be noted that this news appeared on the eve of a statement by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. On Friday, Zelensky strongly reacted to information that Russia has been formulating its "memorandum" for a ceasefire for a week. According to him, these talks are a cynical mockery of the entire world, as each day on the front line involves loss of lives and destruction. The president called on the international community to take decisive action and emphasized that peaceful settlement is possible only under just conditions. Any signs of artificial declarations are entirely unacceptable and have nothing to do with the real situation. Resources and diplomatic sources indicate that the process of preparing such a "memorandum" could become a new stage in prolonged negotiations and attempts to engage the parties in constructive dialogue. However, given many years of experience and the tense situation, many experts doubt the quick success of these diplomatic initiatives. Meanwhile, the situation remains tense both militarily and politically. Ukrainian forces continue defending their positions, while Russian troops do not cease their shelling and missile strikes on Ukrainian targets and infrastructure. Backroom negotiations, including secret exchanges and plans related to the "memorandum," remain central topics of discussion in diplomatic circles on both sides of the conflict. Amid all this, the world is watching the developments with concern and hopes that the coming weeks may bring a long-awaited reduction in tensions and a return to diplomatic resolution, while not losing sight of the importance of realistic steps and balanced decisions.