Russian Foreign Minister: The agenda for the meeting between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine is not ready. Putin refused to meet for a group photo

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that the agenda for the so-called meeting between Russian and Ukrainian leaders was not ready at all. The Russian side suggested first raising the level of the Russia-Ukraine negotiation delegation to discuss issues related to humanitarian, military and political aspects.

Xinhua News Agency reported that the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry released a video clip of Lavrov's interview with NBC on Sunday (August 24). Lavrov said in an interview that President Putin has made it clear that high-level meetings, especially those between the leaders of Russia and Ukraine, must be properly arranged. Therefore, it is necessary for both Russia and Ukraine to agree on a preparatory procedure. The Russian side thus suggested raising the level of the Russia-Ukraine negotiation delegation to discuss specific issues that need to be brought to the attention of the leaders of the two countries, such as humanitarian, military and political issues.

Lavrov pointed out that in the third round of direct negotiations between Russia and Ukraine, the Russian side proposed the establishment of three working groups, including a working group on political issues. However, more than a month has passed and the Ukrainian side has still not made any response.

Lavrov said that Putin is willing to meet with Ukrainian leader Zelensky, provided that the meeting can indeed bring about substantive results. However, the current summit agenda is not ready at all. "Putin will not hold a meeting just for a group photo."

The delegations of Russia and Ukraine held the third round of direct talks in Istanbul, Turkey on July 23. Although no breakthroughs were made on core issues such as the meeting between the leaders of the two countries and the ceasefire, both sides agreed to continue exchanging captured personnel.

US President Trump held a series of meetings with Zelensky and several European leaders at the White House on August 18. At the conclusion of the meeting, Trump had a phone call with Putin and then announced that he had begun to arrange a bilateral meeting between Putin and Zelensky, followed by a meeting among the leaders of the United States, Russia and Ukraine.