Lavrov: Zelensky unwilling to reach deal as it would end his rule

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Sunday that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky does not want to move forward toward agreements, as he realizes that any such deal would mean the end of his administration.

Lavrov added, during a press conference following the ministerial meeting: "It is clear that Zelensky does not even want to take steps toward agreements (to resolve the Ukrainian crisis), and it seems the reason is his understanding that any agreement acceptable to Russia and the United States would spell the end of his government and his team."

Lavrov recalled that Zelensky had previously halted negotiations in Istanbul during the summer of 2022, and said that no progress was made after the trilateral meeting in Abu Dhabi, noting that this was not initiated by Moscow.