Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia has proposed June 2 as the date for the next round of direct talks with Ukraine, to be held in Istanbul, Turkey. Lavrov emphasized Russia’s commitment to a “sustainable peace settlement,” stating that Moscow will deliver a memorandum outlining its terms directly to Kyiv, without U.S. mediation.
The announcement comes amid heightened tensions, as U.S. President Donald Trump issued a stark warning to Russian President Vladimir Putin, accusing him of “playing with fire” following Russia’s recent large-scale aerial attacks on Ukraine, which killed at least 13 people. Trump, who has been pushing for a swift resolution to the conflict, expressed frustration with Moscow’s actions, stating on Truth Social, “What Vladimir Putin doesn’t realise is that if it weren’t for me, lots of really bad things would have already happened to Russia, and I mean REALLY BAD.” He indicated he might meet with both Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy if necessary to advance negotiations.
The diplomatic push coincides with increased military support for Ukraine from Western allies. Germany announced a €5 billion aid package, including funding to produce long-range missiles for Kyiv, prompting criticism from both Trump and Lavrov.
