During a televised interview, he added that "Europeans and other countries also have the right to participate, and we respect that." The USA joined Russia's position in a recent vote at the UN regarding a resolution on the conflict in Ukraine. Lavrov warned that Moscow would not cease military operations until the negotiations yielded satisfactory results, "satisfactory for Russia." Moscow demands that Kyiv concedes in five areas, partially or fully occupied by Russia, and refuses to join NATO. Countries are hoping for "reliable security guarantees" from the Americans.
Trump stated regarding the Russian, that Putin essentially agrees to a similar scenario, although Lavrov emphasized after the meeting with Ruble that the deployment of NATO troops in Ukraine is "absolutely unacceptable." However, Putin announced that he was open to European participation in resolving the conflict. Europeans fear that an agreement, which Washington seeks, leads to Ukraine's total defeat. Macron stated in Washington: "We desire peace, but this peace should not mean that Ukraine's capital is defined."
Ukrainians revived some hope for a turnaround after three years of war, with a possible ceasefire "in the coming weeks" and Russia's openness for European participation in resolving the conflict, but caution against any agreements that would imply "capitalization" of Kyiv. French President Emmanuel Macron attempted to influence his American colleague Donald Trump, as the British Prime Minister, Kir Starmer, does.
Since taking office on January 20, Trump has introduced radical changes in American policy regarding Ukraine, intensifying criticism of President Zelensky, blaming him for starting the war, conducting direct negotiations with Russia without Kyiv and European participation, and offering Moscow "large economic operations." Trump stated that the war in Ukraine could end "within a week," also indicating that Zelensky could visit the White House "this or next week" to sign an agreement allowing Americans to access Ukrainian mineral resources, which Washington requires as compensation for its military support for Kyiv.
"First, there should be a ceasefire, and I think this can be achieved in the coming weeks," Macron said in an interview with Fox News after meeting with Trump, adding: "If not followed, it will be clear evidence of Russia's unreliability." Macron previously stressed that his American colleague "has serious grounds" for restoring a dialogue with Russian President Putin. According to Moscow, a new meeting between Russian and American diplomats is planned for the end of the week after the first meeting on February 18 in Er-Riyad, which was attended by the heads of foreign ministries of all countries involved. In turn, the UK and France are working on a plan to strengthen European forces in Ukraine after reaching a peace agreement to keep Russia from a new attack.
