In brief
At a G20 foreign ministers' meeting in Atlanta, Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said Ukraine’s comments on continuing strikes against Russian targets were unhelpful, and that Moscow’s position on the war has not changed. He highlighted unresolved U.S. sanctions and the continuation of arms supplies to Kyiv as key issues. Lavrov also noted Russia’s insistence on sticking to its original stance in negotiations.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking on the sidelines of a G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta, said Zelenskiy’s remarks about maintaining strikes on Russian targets were “unhelpful” for new talks and that Moscow’s position on the Ukraine conflict remains unchanged.
According to Reuters, Lavrov told reporters that "our position is known, but what Ukraine intends to bring to the negotiating table, I don’t know," and added that “this kind of attitude doesn’t really help much in preparing for negotiations.”
Our position is known, but what Ukraine intends to bring to the negotiating table, I don’t know. This kind of attitude doesn’t really help much in preparing for negotiations.
Lavrov also highlighted that fundamental U.S.–Russia issues remain unresolved, citing continued sanctions on Moscow and ongoing U.S. arms supplies to Kyiv. He noted that a State Department approval of 500 Patriot PAC‑3 missiles for Ukraine had just been announced.
Both Russia and Ukraine have signaled a willingness to hold further three‑sided talks with the U.S., and Zelenskiy said he hopes a trilateral meeting with peace negotiators will take place in Abu Dhabi between November 6 and 10, with European involvement welcomed.
The G20 foreign ministers’ meeting in Atlanta saw the press corps and diplomats skip the traditional group photo; some officials made it clear they objected to appearing alongside Lavrov, according to Reuters coverage.
