US EditionMoscow, Kyiv Seem Miles Apart Following NBC Interview with Top Russian Diplomat
Russia questions Zelensky's authority to sign agreements due to his extended term under martial law, emphasizing the need for a legitimate representative in peace talks, Foreign Minister Lavrov said.
- On August 24, 2025, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated Russia is ready to meet Ukrainian President Zelensky to advance peace talks but questions his legitimacy.
- Lavrov based this stance on Zelensky's presidential term ending over a year ago and the Ukrainian Constitution delaying elections due to martial law since February 2022.
- Lavrov described Zelensky as the de facto head of the regime yet accused him of obstructing peace by refusing territorial concessions and calling for impractical meetings with Putin.
- Lavrov stated that no summit between Putin and Zelensky is currently scheduled, contradicting expectations from the White House, and criticized Zelensky for rejecting all proposals while questioning his legitimacy to authorize agreements.
- This situation indicates persistent diplomatic deadlock where Russia demands Ukrainian concessions and a legitimate signatory, while Ukraine seeks NATO-like security guarantees amid ongoing conflict.
22 Articles
22 Articles
Moscow, Kyiv seem miles apart following NBC interview with top Russian diplomat
In an exclusive interview with NBC’s “Meet the Press” published Sunday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov outlined a number of terms that must be met before Vladimir Putin will agree to meet face-to-face with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Lavrov’s interview brought into focus just how far apart Moscow and Kyiv are on key aspects of the negotiations. What are Moscow’s terms for an agreement? Among the terms Lavrov laid out were Uk…
Zelensky doesn't have legitimacy to sign a peace deal, Russia's top diplomat claims
"When we come to a stage when you have to sign documents, we would need a very clear understanding by everybody that the person who is signing is legitimate, and ... Mr. Zelensky is not," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said.
Colorado Springs Gazette
Lavrov says Russia ready to meet Zelensky in his capacity as ‘de facto head of the regime’
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov on Sunday said that while Russia is prepared to meet with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to further progress peace talks, it questions his legitimacy. When asked by NBC News host Kristen Welker whether Russia views…
Moscow is open to negotiations with Kiev, but they do not consider Volodymyr Zelensky a legitimate person capable of signing legal documents, the Russian Foreign Minister told an American TV channel.
This was stated by the Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov. We recognize him as the de facto head of the regime... When it comes to signing legal documents, everyone should have a clear understanding that the person signing is legitimate. According to the Constitution of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky is not like that now,” the diplomat said. We cannot meet just to take a picture and give him the opportunity to declare that he is legitimate. Aft…
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and US Vice President Jay DeVries spoke separately on NBC about the security guarantees requested by Kiev and the possibility of a meeting between Presidents Putin and Zelensky. Lavrov noted that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet with Volodymyr Zelensky once the agenda for the meeting is determined. However, as he clarified, “this agenda is not ready at all.” “We do not consider it appropria…
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