Russia’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, accused the UK and France of adding fuel to the conflict in Ukraine by suggesting European peacekeeping forces be deployed in the country. Lavrov, speaking in Qatar, claimed that Europe’s approach was increasing tensions rather than addressing the root causes of the conflict. He also criticized Europe for providing military aid to Ukraine, saying that the proposed peacekeeping force was a deception aimed at arming Ukraine further and bringing it closer to NATO.
Lavrov announced a meeting between the US and Russia in Istanbul on Thursday and accused European countries of lying about Russia’s willingness to negotiate over Ukraine. He reiterated Russia’s stance on holding talks while insisting on red lines regarding territory seizures and future security guarantees that Ukraine finds unacceptable.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked 11 years since the annexation of Crimea by Russia, expressing resistance to Russian occupation. Ukraine’s state broadcaster reported the death of journalist Tetyana Kulyk in a Russian drone attack on her house in the Kyiv region.
There was a walkout by dignitaries during Russia’s speech to the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva in support of Ukraine. Meanwhile, French president Emmanuel Macron is set to brief European leaders following his visit to Washington to meet with Donald Trump.
The Kremlin stated that expert level talks between the US and Russia were being prepared but there were no current plans for Putin and Trump to speak directly. Trump announced that Zelenskyy is expected to visit the White House on Friday to sign a rare earth minerals deal, which marks a significant shift in US-Ukraine relations amid the ongoing conflict.
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