Lavrov: Russia ready to negotiate but will not halt military operations

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday at the UN General Assembly that Russia is ready to take part in negotiations, but will not halt its military operations in Ukraine regardless of the format of any talks.

According to Lavrov, Europe is seeking a pause in hostilities so that Ukraine can replenish its depleted weapons stockpiles, a scenario he said Moscow does not support.

Rubio reports interest in a ceasefire

Before his UN address, Lavrov met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Following the meeting, Rubio said both Russia and Ukraine had shown interest in a limited ceasefire covering grain shipments and the energy sector.

Ukraine calls for a full ceasefire

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said Ukraine is ready for a complete, immediate and unconditional ceasefire, and called on Russia to do the same. The two sides currently differ on the scope of any truce — while Kyiv is calling for a full halt to hostilities, Moscow has so far only mentioned possible limited measures in specific sectors.