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Issued on: 20/08/2025 - 08:09Modified: 20/08/2025 - 16:24

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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov listens to Jordan's foreign minister during their talks at Zinaida Morozova's Mansion in Moscow on August 20, 2025. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov listens to Jordan's foreign minister during their talks at Zinaida Morozova's Mansion in Moscow on August 20, 2025. © Pavel Bednyakov, AFP

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Moscow is ready to discuss the political aspects of a settlement with Ukraine. As efforts to kickstart peace negotiations progress, Lavrov also criticised European leaders for their “clumsy” attempts to influence US President Donald Trump. Follow our liveblog for the latest updates.

Key points from yesterday:

  • US President Donald Trump said he had ruled out putting US troops on the ground in Ukraine, but said the United States might provide air support as part of a deal to end Russia's war in the country. On Monday, Zelensky and other European leaders held hours of talks at the White House on Monday aimed at bringing an end to Russia’s war against Ukraine.

  • Sources familiar with a phone call between Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin said the Russian leader suggested holding potential peace talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Moscow, to which Zelensky said "no".
  • Other sources said the White House is eyeing the Hungarian capital of Budapest as a venue for a possible trilateral meeting between Trump, Putin and Zelensky. Meanwhile, Switzerland said it would grant Putin immunity from prosecution if he came to the country for talks on peace in Ukraine.

(FRANCE 24 with AFP, AP and Reuters)

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