Moscow: The Russian foreign minister on Tuesday cautioned against omitting crucial understandings reached between Moscow and Washington during an Alaska summit from a proposed US peace plan for Ukraine.
According to Anadolu Agency, Sergey Lavrov, speaking at a joint press conference with Belarusian counterpart Maxim Ryzhenkov in Moscow, stated that Russia and the US maintain communication channels. Moscow anticipates an interim text of the peace plan from Washington after consultations with Europe and Ukraine are concluded on the initial document.
Lavrov emphasized that removing the spirit and letter of the Anchorage understandings would significantly alter the situation. He noted that Moscow has not yet received an official version of the document. Russia is prepared to discuss the plan's points, although several issues require clarification.
Lavrov expressed appreciation for the US position on the Ukraine conflict, acknowledging it as the only Western country initiating efforts to resolve the ongoing war, which has persisted for over three and a half years. He identified Belarus and Trkiye as potential constructive mediators in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, while rejecting mediation proposals from France and Germany.
The foreign minister contended that those generating hype around the proposed US plan are attempting to undermine US President Donald Trump's peace efforts. Lavrov stated that Moscow is not pressuring the US into negotiations to end the conflict and acknowledged Washington's commitment to the understandings reached in Anchorage, Alaska.
He added uncertainty about the extent to which the US will defend its position and resist diversion attempts. On Sunday, US and Ukrainian officials met in Geneva, Switzerland, to discuss an initial 28-point proposal aimed at advancing peace efforts in Ukraine. Following these talks, both countries announced the drafting of an "updated and refined" peace framework.
The proposal raised concerns in Kyiv and among its allies; however, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Monday that the US-drafted plan now contains "fewer points" and "many of the right elements" following negotiations. Ukraine's National Defense and Security Council Secretary Rustem Umerov reported that Kyiv and Washington reached a "common understanding" during the Geneva talks on the core terms of the US plan. He also mentioned plans for Zelenskyy to visit the US in November to complete final steps and finalize a deal with Trump.