Lavrov says that Russia-US "misunderstandings" over Ukraine resolved

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that all "misunderstandings" between Moscow and Washington over Ukraine have been resolved following a meeting between Russian leader Vladimir Putin and US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff in early December.

As reported by Reuters, Lavrov said that the talks have confirmed the "mutual understanding" reached between Putin and Donald Trump at their summit in Alaska in August.

"Now, here, in our negotiations with the Americans on the Ukraine issue, I personally believe that the misunderstandings and miscommunications have been resolved," Lavrov said.

Lavrov said Russia seeks a set of agreed documents to establish "a long-term and sustainable peace deal" in the Russo-Ukrainian war with security guarantees for all parties involved.

"We have conveyed to our American colleagues additional proposals concerning collective security guarantees. We understand that when discussing security guarantees, we cannot limit ourselves to Ukraine alone," he added.

Lavrov also repeated a narrative of Russian propaganda, claiming that the Russian Federation will not agree to Ukraine’s accession to NATO and that Moscow wants "protection" for Russian-speaking citizens in Ukraine.

US President Donald Trump recently claimed that Russia is in a stronger negotiating position on ending the war in Ukraine.

Following this, the Kremlin welcomed these remarks, particularly about Russia's advantage on the battlefield in Ukraine and the impossibility of Ukraine joining NATO.