Russia Sets Condition for Ukraine Peace Deal
Speaking to Rossiya Segodnya media group, Lavrov rejected proposals for a temporary ceasefire to facilitate a referendum under Ukraine's current administration, where elections remain frozen under martial law and President Vladimir Zelensky's term expired in 2024.
"The leadership in Kiev needs a mandate to seal a peace agreement. Only an election following a transparent and fair electoral campaign, in which all interested political forces take part, can provide that," Lavrov said.
Lavrov emphasized that millions of Ukrainian citizens now residing in Russia must have voting access. "The Ukrainian people, including many who live in Russia, have to finally be given an opportunity to determine their fate," he added.
The foreign minister warned against exploiting election logistics as cover for military buildup. "Organizing the ballot must not be used as a pretext for a temporary ceasefire to rearm the Ukrainian army," Lavrov stated.
Zelensky previously told Trump ahead of their weekend summit that his government requires a minimum 60-day pause in hostilities to organize a public vote on any U.S.-brokered settlement terms. The Ukrainian president dismissed Moscow's diaspora voting demands as subterfuge aimed at undermining his government's authority.
According to Zelensky, suspending martial law and military conscription hinges entirely on Western nations delivering the security commitments outlined in his 20-point framework—proposals Trump notably declined to back during their Miami discussions.
Lavrov clarified that Russia views elections as instrumental rather than symbolic—a pathway toward Ukraine adopting permanent neutrality, renouncing military alliance membership, and guaranteeing protections for ethnic Russian communities. Continental security arrangements must be comprehensive, he noted.
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