Russia Open to Ukraine Deal After Trump Urges Ceasefire
AFP/APP
Washington: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday that Moscow is open to reaching a deal to end the war in Ukraine, following a rare call from Donald Trump urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop the latest deadly strikes on Kyiv.
“We’re ready to reach a deal, but there are still specific issues to resolve,” Lavrov told CBS News. “We’re working on that.”
Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to arrive in Russia on Friday for another round of ceasefire talks with Putin. Lavrov said negotiations with Washington are ongoing and progressing in a positive direction. He also praised Trump, calling him “probably the only leader” who understands the deeper causes of the conflict, although he noted Trump hasn’t laid out a detailed proposal.
Trump spoke out after Russian missile and drone strikes hit Kyiv early Thursday, killing at least 12 people in one of the deadliest attacks in months. “I am not happy with the Russian strikes,” Trump posted on social media. “Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP!”
When asked about what Russia was offering in the peace talks, Trump said: “Stopping taking the whole country — pretty big concession.”
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, aiming for a quick victory. Instead, the war has dragged on, causing heavy losses on both sides.
Dispute Over Crimea
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky cut short a trip to South Africa to respond to the latest attacks. He criticized Western nations for not doing more to pressure Putin into a ceasefire and said stronger sanctions were needed.
“I don’t see any strong pressure on Russia or new sanctions,” Zelensky said, pointing out Trump’s previous warnings to Moscow.
Trump, meanwhile, accused Zelensky of hindering peace by refusing to accept Russia’s annexation of Crimea — a region Moscow took over in 2014. Trump called Crimea “lost years ago.”
Zelensky responded, saying Ukraine follows its laws and constitution, and cannot accept proposals that violate them.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, visiting the White House, emphasized that it is up to Russia to take the next steps toward peace. “The ball is clearly in the Russian court now,” he said.
Kyiv Under Fire
Russia launched a massive aerial assault between Wednesday night and Thursday morning, firing at least 70 missiles and 145 drones. Most were aimed at Kyiv, according to Ukraine’s air force.
Emergency services said the death toll in Kyiv’s Sviatoshinsky district rose to 12, with 90 others injured.
Russia claimed the strikes targeted military infrastructure, including facilities producing rocket fuel and gunpowder. Lavrov insisted only military or dual-use targets were hit.
“If it was a site used by the military, our commanders have the right to strike it,” Lavrov told CBS News.
Zelensky said a North Korean ballistic missile was used in the attack and accused Russia of launching ground offensives while Ukraine was distracted by the air assault.
“While most of our forces focused on defending against drones and missiles, Russia ramped up ground attacks,” Zelensky said on X.
Olena Davydiuk, a 33-year-old lawyer in Kyiv, described the destruction: “Windows shattered, doors came off their hinges. People were being pulled from the rubble.”
