Moscow/Kyiv: Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Thursday that Moscow is willing to pursue a peaceful settlement to the Ukraine conflict, but accused Western countries of blocking sincere diplomatic dialogue.
During a roundtable with ambassadors, Lavrov criticized the West for controlling Kyiv with ultimatums and pushing Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace formula as the sole negotiating option. Lavrov also claimed NATO was providing Kyiv with reconnaissance data to target Russian infrastructure.
Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that Russian drones struck the northeastern city of Konotop, injuring 14 civilians and damaging multiple buildings. Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched 64 drones and five missiles overnight. Ukraine also claimed to have downed a Russian Su-30SM fighter jet over the Black Sea.