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Russian officials articulated a firm stance on the conflict in Ukraine and international relations. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Russia is ready to discuss placing Ukraine under UN administration but emphasized that its goals are not subject to compromise. He also criticized international bodies, describing the OSCE as near self-destruction. Concurrently, the Kremlin announced a new round of negotiations on Ukraine would be held. In other diplomatic activity, Lavrov described Europe as being in decline and noted a shift of Russian diplomats to Africa, while also discussing relations with Syria, Cuba, and Turkmenistan. President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with the president of South Africa and sent a message to Iran's president.
Domestically, Vladimir Putin conducted a series of appointments and meetings. He transferred a deputy foreign minister to the role of ambassador to Turkey and appointed new regional judges. Putin also held meetings at the Kremlin, including with the president of Madagascar to discuss cooperation and with the governor of the Oryol region. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova defended the decision to begin the military operation as timely and outlined a condition for achieving sustainable peace in Ukraine.
A significant new round of Russia-Ukraine peace talks, mediated by the United States, was held in Abu Dhabi and described as productive. A key development was a senior Russian diplomat stating Russia is open to discussing 'temporary external governance' for Ukraine. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the U.S. has a goal of reaching an agreement by June and that Ukraine would consider a referendum on any deal under its own conditions. Russian officials, including Lavrov, stated any deal must include global recognition of Russian control over Crimea and the Donbas.
Russian officials extensively commented on U.S. politics, with Lavrov discussing Donald Trump's approach to Ukraine and NATO. Lavrov stated Russia accepted a U.S. proposal for talks made in Alaska but claims the U.S. is now stalling. In other bilateral relations, Belarusian leader Alexander Lukashenko met with Putin in Moscow to reinforce ties, signing several documents as part of Union State integration. Chinese leader Xi Jinping and Putin held a video call, praising their alliance as stabilizing. Separately, France and Russia confirmed technical preparations are underway for a potential phone call between Macron and Putin.
7 topics | 96 sources
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made several public statements about Russia's foreign relations. He described Europe as being in decline and said Russia is moving diplomats from Europe to Africa. Lavrov also discussed Russia's relations with Syria, Cuba, and Turkmenistan, and commented on Middle East issues. Separately, the Kremlin said President Vladimir Putin held a phone call with the president of South Africa and sent a congratulatory message to the president of Iran.
Vladimir Putin was involved in a series of official meetings and appointments. He transferred a deputy foreign minister, Vershinin, to the role of ambassador to Turkey and appointed new judges in the Rostov and Chernozemye regions. He also held meetings at the Kremlin, including with the president of Madagascar to discuss cooperation and with the governor of the Oryol region. Putin had a phone call with Kazakh President Tokayev.
Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for Russia's Foreign Ministry, made several statements about the conflict in Ukraine. She described Russia's decision to begin what it calls its 'special military operation' as timely and justified, and she outlined a condition for achieving a sustainable peace in Ukraine. Zakharova also commented on Ukraine's stated intention to boycott the Paralympic Games.
Russian officials made a series of statements criticizing Western countries and defending Russia's international position. Putin said restrictions against Cuba are unacceptable, a Russian diplomat called Canada a 'paper white bear,' and the Foreign Ministry said Russia is defying external pressure and blackmail. Separately, a Russian diplomat said the Arctic Council, a forum for cooperation on Arctic issues, is effectively blocked because Western countries have dismantled cooperation.
31 topics | 3443 sources
Feb 28 — Feb 1
Nuclear talks with Iran and Ukraine peace negotiations occur simultaneously in GenevaThe United States and Iran held a series of high-stakes nuclear talks in Geneva, with no deal announced at their conclusion. U.S. officials brought tough demands, and Trump stated he was 'not happy' with the progress but would give the talks more time, while also warning Iran that 'bad things' would happen if no deal was made. A major U.S. military deployment, including a second aircraft carrier sent to the Middle East, occurred alongside the negotiations. Separately, U.S.-brokered peace talks between Russia and Ukraine were also held in Geneva. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy pushed for a trilateral summit with the U.S. and Russia, while Russian officials described the discussions as difficult. U.S. Vice President JD Vance was involved in the Iran talks, and Senator Marco Rubio planned a trip to Israel to discuss them.
Feb 24 — Feb 27
Ukraine marks four years since Russia's full-scale invasion as leaders assess the warThe war in Ukraine has reached the four-year anniversary of Russia's full-scale invasion. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Russia has not broken Ukraine and that Putin has not won the war, while other Western leaders and commentators marked the somber milestone. EU chief Ursula von der Leyen visited Ukraine on the anniversary, and Poland's foreign minister criticized Hungary for actions seen as favoring Putin. Some headlines discuss the potential for peace talks or a ceasefire, with one mentioning a proposal from Trump to seek a peace deal by July 4th.
Feb 24 — Feb 17
Zelensky says Putin has started World War III and is a 'slave to war'Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky made strong statements about the ongoing war with Russia. He said Russian President Vladimir Putin has already started World War III and called him a 'slave to war' during a speech at the Munich Security Conference. At the same time, Russia and Ukraine are preparing for peace talks in Geneva. The Kremlin says the main issues to be discussed include territory.
Feb 27
European Union imposes new sanctions on Russia as Hungary blocks broader measuresThe European Union has imposed sanctions on eight Russian law enforcement and judicial officials, separate from a larger, stalled sanctions package. The bloc is also trying to reduce the size of Russia's diplomatic mission and ban Russian officials from the Schengen travel zone. Hungary has blocked a new, broader set of EU sanctions against Russia and a multi-billion euro loan for Ukraine. This happened just before the anniversary of the war in Ukraine. Meanwhile, Russian officials said the EU's desire to join any future talks on settling the Ukraine war is ungrounded and would be an attempt to derail them.
Feb 24
Russian officials make conflicting statements about Ukraine's ZelenskyRussian officials have made a series of public comments about Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The Kremlin stated it agrees with Zelensky's own assessment that Russia has not achieved its military goals in Ukraine, while other officials, like Dmitry Medvedev, suggested Zelensky is worried after a critical interview by Ukraine's former top general, Valerii Zaluzhnyi. Separately, a Russian ambassador called for Zelensky to surrender and come to Russia 'in shackles,' and Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova claimed Zelensky's 'lack of principles' is the main reason the West chose to support him.