Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov discussed the ongoing Ukraine ceasefire negotiations on a phone call with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. As per the Russian foreign ministry, Lavrov briefed Rubio on "concrete proposals for the incoming round of negotiations to be held between Moscow and Kyiv in Istanbul next week."
"Both sides affirmed their intent to maintain constructive and respectful dialogue,” the ministry said in a statement on its website. The US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce said that Rubio "praised and welcomed Russia and Ukraine’s exchange of ‘1,000-for-1,000’ prisoners over the weekend."
"The secretary also highlighted President Trump’s calls for constructive, good-faith dialogue with Ukraine as the only path to ending this war,” Bruce added. The conversation took place shortly after US President Donald Trump intensified his rhetoric toward Russia, accusing President Vladimir Putin of “playing with fire.” Although he did not impose any sanctions on Russia, he expects some positive developments from the upcoming round two of the direct talks between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul.
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“We’re going to find out whether or not (Putin is)tapping us along, and if he is, we’ll respond a little differently,” Trump said. The initial round of talks was held in Istanbul as high-level delegates from both sides in three years on 16 May.
Before the next round of talks, Ukraine has already shared its memorandum with both Moscow and Washington, while the Kremlin has stated that it was “finalising its version of the document.” Lavrov has reportedly proposed holding the next round of talks in Istanbul on 2 June. Russia’s lead negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, has rejected Ukraine’s claims that Moscow is stalling the process.
Ukraine has backed Trump’s proposal for an unconditional 30-day ceasefire. However, Russia has often stated that, for a full ceasefire to be achieved, Ukraine must halt mobilisation, stop receiving foreign weapons, and withdraw its forces from Russian territory.
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