Lavrov Explains Why Meeting Between Putin and Zelensky Is Not Planned: Key Reasons and International Context

Chas Pravdy - 23 August 2025 07:17

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov officially announced that no negotiations between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and Russian President Vladimir Putin are currently scheduled.

The statement comes amid ambiguous signals from the U.S.

White House about potential high-level talks between Kyiv and Moscow.

In an interview with NBC News, Lavrov emphasized that Moscow is open to dialogue but only if a clear and agreed-upon agenda is established — which, at present, remains absent.

He pointed out that Russia considers unacceptable the conditions previously discussed during consultations involving former U.S.

President Donald Trump and European partners.

These conditions included Ukraine’s refusal to join NATO, discussions on territorial issues, and revisions to language legislation.

According to Lavrov, Zelensky has rejected all these proposals, which complicates the possibility of negotiations.

The Russian diplomat highlighted that Russia cannot ignore Kyiv’s refusal to fulfill the stipulated conditions, making any future talks impossible at this stage.

He stressed that a meeting with Zelensky could only happen if a constructive and mutually agreed agenda is in place — a situation that currently does not exist.

As a result, diplomatic negotiations are either postponed or remain out of reach until both sides find a common ground.

Source