A new round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine is expected to be announced soon, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Speaking on Wednesday, Lavrov indicated that diplomatic efforts are once again gaining traction in the ongoing conflict, which has now lasted over two years.
Lavrov emphasized that a return to Ukraine’s neutral, non-aligned, and nuclear-free status remains one of Moscow’s key conditions for resolving the war. “This principle is not just a preference; it is a fundamental requirement for ensuring long-term peace and regional stability,” Lavrov said, underscoring Russia’s longstanding opposition to Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO and Western military alliances.
This announcement comes in the wake of the most recent round of face-to-face negotiations held on May 16, marking the first direct talks between the two nations since March 2022. Those talks, which took place in Istanbul, ended without any breakthrough or ceasefire agreement, though both parties reportedly signaled a willingness to continue dialogue.
Since the outbreak of full-scale war in February 2022, diplomatic efforts have repeatedly stalled amid intense fighting, rising civilian casualties, and the entrenchment of opposing positions. Ukraine, supported militarily and economically by Western allies, has insisted on the restoration of its territorial integrity, including the return of Crimea and areas occupied by Russian forces.
Lavrov’s announcement hints at a potential shift, or at least a renewed attempt, to find a political solution to the crisis. However, it remains unclear whether Kyiv would agree to the conditions Moscow is proposing, particularly regarding neutrality and nuclear status — issues that have been deeply contentious.
Ukrainian officials have yet to issue a formal response to Lavrov’s remarks. Analysts suggest that while fresh talks could offer a diplomatic opening, the path to peace remains fraught with mistrust, especially given the lack of progress in previous negotiations.
Still, the prospect of new dialogue, even tentative, offers a glimmer of hope amid the protracted war. Whether it will yield tangible results remains to be seen, but for now, diplomacy appears to be back on the table.
