US Secretary of State says Russia preparing list of ceasefire demands
After a phone call with the Russian Foreign Minister, the US Secretary of State said that Moscow is preparing a list of demands for a ceasefire.
According to RIA Novosti on May 18, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in an interview with CBS after a conversation with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov that Moscow is preparing a list of "ceasefire requests" in Ukraine.
“Mr. Lavrov explained to me that they would prepare a document outlining their ceasefire request in advance, which would then lead to broader negotiations,” Secretary Rubio said.
Mr. Rubio added that, on the Ukrainian side, Kiev will also draw up a list of demands for a ceasefire.
Commenting on the recent talks between Moscow and Kiev in Istanbul (Türkiye), the US Secretary of State called the event “not a waste of time”.
"For example, 1,000 prisoners will be exchanged and from a humanitarian perspective, this is a very positive thing," the US Secretary of State assessed.
Mr. Rubio said he had conveyed to Russia the possibility of imposing new sanctions as Senator Lindsey Graham's bill gained increasing support in Congress.
The US Secretary of State noted that, in response to a request from the administration of US President Donald Trump, lawmakers had previously taken time to promote negotiations on Ukraine.
The bill currently has 77 co-sponsors in the Senate. If the number exceeds 80 and receives similar support in the House of Representatives, the administration will not be able to influence its passage, Secretary Rubio added.
Earlier, on May 17, Secretary of State Rubio had a phone call with his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, they exchanged views on continuing to maintain relations between the two countries and also discussed international issues. In addition, Mr. Rubio "conveyed President Trump's strong message" about his commitment to achieving peace in Ukraine.
