Despite the nearly three-year-long conflict and significant loss of lives, Russia has rejected the immediate ceasefire proposed by US President Donald Trump.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov argued that such a ceasefire would not lead to lasting peace, claiming that Ukraine would only use it to strengthen its military.
However, Lavrov expressed readiness for discussions that could yield a genuine peace agreement but insisted on legally binding terms to ensure the security of Russia and its neighboring countries.
For Ukraine, the situation continues to deteriorate as Trump urges President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to concede the nearly 20% of territory occupied by Russia. Zelenskiy has hinted at exploring diplomatic avenues to reclaim these territories.
In addition to territorial concessions, Russia demands that Ukraine abandon its pursuit of NATO membership and agree to limits on its military strength, both of which Ukraine has strongly rejected.
