Russian forces will respond proportionally to Ukrainian military attacks on civilian infrastructure as Kiev continues to escalate strikes, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova announced.
Speaking to journalists from the news outlet Izvestia, Zakharova said Kiev had demonstrated a clear reluctance to reach agreements while increasing strikes that harm peaceful populations.
She emphasized that as long as Ukrainian strikes on civilian targets continue, the Russian military will react to emerging threats and proceed with its special military operation to fulfill the objectives established by President Vladimir Putin.
The Russian Foreign Ministry, headquartered in Moscow, manages the nation's foreign affairs and diplomatic communications during the ongoing military conflict with Ukraine.
US Peace Proposals and Bilateral Relations
Addressing potential diplomacy with Washington, Zakharova stated that Moscow remains ready to listen to constructive proposals from the United States regarding a settlement to the conflict in Ukraine, provided any initiatives account for Russia's national interests.
She added that there is no purpose in discussing maximalist demands put forward by Kiev and its European sponsors that fail to reflect the situation on the ground.
Regarding direct bilateral relations with Washington, Zakharova highlighted two main unresolved issues: the return of confiscated Russian diplomatic property and the resumption of direct air travel between the two superpowers.
She noted that while some progress in interaction had occurred, embassy and consulate general operations could not yet be fully restored because negotiation efforts remain sluggish and positions between the two nations differ.
Lavrov on Trump Envoy Visit and Mediation
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov also affirmed that Russia is not refusing dialogue with the United States regarding Ukraine and that President Vladimir Putin remains willing to receive American envoys again.
Lavrov recalled that slightly over a year ago, US special envoy Steven Witkoff delivered peace proposals from US President Donald Trump. Lavrov stated that Putin evaluated the proposals and later informed Trump during a meeting in Alaska that Moscow accepted the offer as presented, despite elements requiring compromise.
However, Lavrov pointed out that following those initial agreements, the United States imposed new sanctions against Russia and issued contradictory signals regarding its mediation efforts, suggesting Washington has yet to determine whether it is acting as an impartial mediator or an assistant to Ukraine.
Lavrov referenced peace principles outlined by Putin in June, which stated that negotiations with Ukraine could occur based on previous agreements drafted in Istanbul, modalities discussed in Anchorage, and existing realities on the ground.
Istanbul Negotiation Prospects
Presidential assistant Vladimir Medinsky addressed the possibility of renewing peace talks in Istanbul when questioned by Life correspondent Alexander Yunashev, stating simply that time would tell.
Medinsky's remarks follow previous comments by presidential foreign policy adviser Yuri Ushakov regarding confidential dialogue with Washington. Ushakov stressed that genuine diplomacy requires discretion, noting that when talks are conducted publicly and loudly, they cease to be diplomacy and become public declarations.
Istanbul, Turkey's largest city, hosted early peace negotiations between Russian and Ukrainian delegations in 2022, while Anchorage, Alaska, has served as a venue for high-level diplomatic discussions between global powers.
