Moscow is prepared to strike a deal to end its ongoing war in Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov announced Thursday, following a rare public rebuke from U.S. President Donald Trump, who urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to cease attacks on Kyiv.
“We are ready to reach a deal, but there are still some specific points that need to be fine-tuned, and we are busy with this,” Lavrov told CBS News in an interview. He noted that negotiations with Washington were moving positively and would continue. Lavrov also commended Trump for recognizing the need to address the root causes of the conflict, although he acknowledged that Trump had not laid out the specifics of a potential agreement.
Trump’s remarks came after Russia’s deadly missile and drone strikes on Kyiv early Thursday, which killed at least 12 people and injured dozens more. In a statement on Truth Social, Trump condemned the attacks as unnecessary and poorly timed. “Vladimir, STOP!” he urged, signaling his disapproval of the ongoing violence.
Trump, long criticized for his favorable stance towards Russia, was questioned about Russia’s concessions in the negotiations. “Stopping taking the whole country — pretty big concession,” he responded.
As the diplomatic efforts intensify, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff is set to arrive in Russia on Friday to continue ceasefire talks with Putin.
