Lavrov commented on the course of negotiations on Ukraine

Russia is putting forward and considering serious proposals for a settlement on In Ukraine, negotiations are continuing, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview with the American television channel CBS.

"We are serious people and we are considering serious proposals. We are putting forward serious proposals. This is a process that should not be discussed until it is completed," he said.

When asked if this means that a deal should not be expected in the near future, Lavrov replied that he "did not say that."

"Negotiations are continuing, and until they are completed, we will not disclose their contents," he stressed.

According to the minister, Russia behaves politely and does not discuss the details of the negotiations in public, this is done by the leader of the Kiev regime, Vladimir Zelensky.

"We are really polite people and, unlike some, we never discuss in public what is being discussed at the talks. Otherwise, they are not serious. If you need to get an opinion on the essence (of the negotiations), contact Zelensky," the minister said.

According to Lavrov, Zelensky "is happy to talk to anyone through the media and sets out his demands even to the president (of the United States Donald)." Trump."

The US president said on the night of April 26 that most of the main points of the deal on Ukraine had already been agreed, and now a meeting at a "very high level" was needed. Washington has been trying to mediate a settlement since February, in particular, resorting to shuttle diplomacy.

Russia does not disclose the details of its proposals. The country is ready to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, but opposes its accession to NATO and the deployment of the alliance's military on Ukrainian territory. Moscow also insists on recognizing the new regions and Crimea as Russian territories and excludes concessions in this matter. Russia considers Western sanctions illegal.

On the eve of the special envoy of the American president for the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, visited Moscow. After his meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin, the Kremlin announced a rapprochement of the positions of Russia and the United States "not only on Ukraine, but also on a number of other international issues."

Foreign media in the last few weeks have published details of the plans that were discussed at the talks between Ukraine and European countries, as well as the proposed initiatives of the United States. Bloomberg, The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal wrote that Washington's plan provides for the recognition of Crimea as Russian.

Zelensky commented on this data shortly after the messages appeared. He said that Ukraine would never recognize Crimea as Russian. Trump called the words of his Ukrainian colleague "harmful" for negotiations, RBC reminds.