Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday that there are no plans for a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to discuss ending the war, now in its third year.
His remarks came only days after U.S. President Donald Trump claimed that preparations were underway to bring the two leaders together at a negotiation table.
“No meeting is planned” between the Russian and Ukrainian leaders, Lavrov told NBC’s Meet the Press with Kristen Welker in a pre-recorded interview.
Trump had said earlier this week on social media that he had spoken with Putin and that preparations were being made for a meeting in a yet-undetermined location, adding that he would later join them in a trilateral session.
The comments fuel skepticism over Moscow’s commitment to U.S.-led peace efforts, as Russian officials have opposed key points in the draft proposals.
Lavrov clarified that Putin is open to meeting Zelensky only after senior officials resolve the main issues in advance.
Meanwhile, Ukraine is pressing Western allies for security guarantees to prevent future Russian aggression, with U.S. and European officials drafting detailed frameworks. Lavrov dismissed such plans as “meaningless” without Russia’s involvement.
Tensions remain high: on Thursday, a large Russian drone and missile strike hit a U.S.-owned electronics factory in Ukraine, despite Trump’s criticism of Putin for continuing bombardments while peace discussions are being floated.
