Russia refuses to halt Ukraine attacks during peace talks, Lavrov says

Russia will not halt its full-scale invasion of Ukraine while conducting negotiations for a peace settlement, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on September 12. Lavrov's comments came the same day that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky indicated he would be willing to meet face-to-face with Russian President Vladimir Putin for peace talks at the G20 leaders' summit in December.

Speaking to the Russian news outlet Vesti, Lavrov stated that the Kremlin was open to talks but dismissed the idea of a ceasefire or a Putin-Zelensky summit in Miami. "We are still ready for negotiations, but the (war against Ukraine) will not be stopped during this period," Lavrov said. He added that Russia had "already had this experience and have drawn conclusions," possibly referring to previous truces that were violated.

Regarding Zelensky's invitation to meet Putin, Lavrov reiterated the Kremlin's condition that such a meeting could only occur in Moscow. "On this matter, I believe (Kremlin Spokesperson) Dmitry Peskov has already spoken. An invitation was sent to (Zelensky). If he wants to meet, then he should come," Lavrov said.

Lavrov emphasized Moscow's "goodwill" in the peace process, noting that Zelensky had not canceled his decree banning contacts with Putin. "So, we are not lacking in goodwill, while he, it seems, lacks good intentions," Lavrov claimed.

Zelensky and Putin have not met in person since before Russia launched its invasion in February 2022. Zelensky has repeatedly proposed meeting in a third country, a proposal the Kremlin has consistently rejected. Kyiv has also insisted that negotiations occur during a cessation of hostilities and has stated its willingness to uphold an unconditional ceasefire if Russia reciprocates.

These comments follow a renewed U.S.-led effort to resume negotiations. U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner visited both capitals for separate talks with the Russian and Ukrainian governments in September, though no breakthrough was reported. The U.S. envoys expressed hope for resuming trilateral negotiations with all parties present, a format that both Zelensky and the Kremlin have indicated they are not ruling out.