Lavrov: Moscow Open to Negotiations Without Preconditions Amid Ceasefire Dispute

Russia is open to direct negotiations with Ukraine without any preconditions and views Kyiv's call for a 30-day ceasefire as a preliminary condition, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated during a press conference following a meeting of BRICS foreign ministers in Brazil. On April 25, Russian President Vladimir Putin, during a meeting with U.S. Special Envoy Steven Witkoff, expressed Russia's willingness to resume talks with Ukraine without any preconditions, according to the Kremlin. On April 28, Putin announced a ceasefire to coincide with celebrations of the 80th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War, lasting from midnight on May 8 to midnight on May 11. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the offer as a "manipulation attempt” and instead proposed an immediate 30-day ceasefire. "Our proposal, voiced by President Putin, is to begin direct negotiations without preconditions. The ceasefire being demanded by Ukraine is viewed as a preliminary condition, which would be used to further support the Kyiv regime and strengthen its military capabilities,” Lavrov said.