Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov says Moscow on track to sign a Ukraine peace deal

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov expressed willingness to negotiate an end to the conflict with Ukraine, stating that the Kremlin was prepared to make a deal. Lavrov mentioned that President Donald Trump believed progress was being made in resolving the Ukraine conflict and highlighted the need to address the root causes of the situation. He indicated ongoing discussions with the American side regarding specific elements of the deal. Lavrov also noted that Russian forces would only target legitimate military sites or civilian areas used by the Ukrainian military, following missile strikes in Kyiv. Meanwhile, Trump mentioned that a deal was close and that important meetings were occurring. Additionally, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Moscow for peace talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin. In Kyiv, there were differing opinions on potential territorial concessions for peace, with Mayor Vitali Klitschko supporting the idea while Zelensky’s adviser, Serhiy Leshchenko, cautioning against it, emphasizing the importance of unity around the president’s mandate.