Lavrov: We Expect a Step Forward in Preparations for a Summit with the US.

Expression of Summit from Moscow

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made significant statements regarding a potential summit with the US. He stated that a new meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and US President Donald Trump is entirely dependent on the initiative of the US, saying, "We are ready to proceed at a pace that Americans feel comfortable with."

Hungary Option for the Summit

In an interview with the Macar Ultrahang YouTube channel, Lavrov highlighted the possibility of the summit taking place in Budapest, the capital of Hungary. He mentioned that Trump had proposed this option, and Putin had accepted it, stating, "There is a proposal. We are polite people. We affirm that we accept the invitation when we are invited and suggest reaching an agreement on the meeting format and location."

Future of Talks

Lavrov indicated that the Russian side assessed the situation following Trump’s announcement on October 23 that the invitation had been canceled. In a phone conversation with Marco Rubio, he emphasized that Russia would adhere to the agreements reached with America. He added, "We are ready to proceed at a pace that Americans feel comfortable with; at this point, I assume that a clear agreement on the implementation of the agreements provided openly and directly will be achieved."

Ukraine Crisis and Security Concerns

Lavrov also made significant statements regarding the status of territories in Ukraine, saying, "It is not the territories, but the people living in these territories that matter." He indicated that calls for a ceasefire aim to buy time. Furthermore, he emphasized that regions such as Crimea, Donetsk, and Luhansk are part of Russia and that there is a need for a buffer zone in these areas.

Criticism on Finland's NATO Membership

Lavrov described Finland's accession to NATO as a "mistake", stating that this situation has negative effects on regional security. He noted that there is pressure for an unconditional ceasefire in Ukraine and added that European countries are opposed to Russia-US interactions.