**Russia Refuses to Halt Ukraine War, Demands “Realistic Solutions”**
Russia has rejected a ceasefire in Ukraine, its Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on May 21. This move comes as the US and European leaders push for an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine. Despite this, Russian President Vladimir Putin insisted on negotiating a “memorandum regarding a potential future peace treaty.”
Lavrov expressed skepticism towards the idea of a temporary truce, saying that resolving the “root causes” of the conflict was essential. He accused European leaders of trying to pressure US President Donald Trump into tightening sanctions against Russia.
“We have already been in these stories, we don’t want this anymore,” Lavrov said, referencing previous peace talks between Moscow and Ukraine following the start of Russia’s full-scale war on February 24, 2022. This shows that Russia remains unwilling to make concessions or compromise on its demands.
**Russia’s Maximalist Demands**
In recent weeks, Russia has made it clear what it wants from Ukraine. In peace talks held on May 16, Russian authorities presented maximalist demands, including the loss of Crimea and four eastern regions. Putin did not attend these negotiations, despite being invited to meet face-to-face with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Additionally, Russia’s delegation consisted of low-level officials, led by Putin’s aide, Vladimir Medinsky. Lavrov was also absent from the talks, further underscoring Russia’s unwillingness to engage in meaningful discussions. The talks ultimately resulted in no significant progress or agreements being made.
**The Way Forward**
It remains unclear what the next steps will be in resolving this conflict. However, one thing is certain: Ukraine and its allies are committed to bringing an end to Russia’s war against them. As for Russia, it seems that the only solution they’re willing to consider involves imposing their demands on Ukraine.
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