Lavrov: Russia will not halt hostilities in Ukraine during peace talks

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, during the UN General Assembly, that Russia is willing to hold talks on ending the war in Ukraine but will not stop what the Kremlin calls its "special military operation" regardless of the format of any negotiations.

Lavrov claimed that European countries want a halt in fighting mainly so that Ukraine can use the pause to replenish its weapons stockpiles.

Closed-door meeting with Rubio

Before making the statement, Lavrov held closed-door talks in New York with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The meeting took place on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, and no detailed information about the discussion was initially made public.

After the meeting, Rubio said that both Russia and Ukraine had shown interest in a limited ceasefire covering energy infrastructure and grain shipments.

Kyiv's position

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha, for his part, stressed that Kyiv is ready for a full, immediate and unconditional ceasefire and called on Russia to do the same.