Negotiations were difficult - Lavrov and Kuleba reported about the meeting in Ukraine

The first round of negotiations between the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers since the start of the "military operation" focused on humanitarian issues, Lavrov noted. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba called the talks difficult and said a ceasefire was not possible. The negotiations between Lavrov and Kuleba lasted an hour and a half with the participation of Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu.

According to Lavrov, the Russian military has explained what measures it is taking to alleviate the situation of civilians in the areas where hostilities are taking place. Moscow has confirmed that the initiative to open humanitarian corridors remains in place, and that the routes and opening hours will be determined by the military. The Ukrainian side has promised to respond to the draft documents proposed by Russia in the third round of peace talks in Belarus.

Russia is in favor of any contacts to find a way out of the "Ukraine crisis.” Yet Lavrov said the talks should have "added value" and lead to concrete results. He said he also praised the idea of private negotiations between Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky, which he discussed with Kuleba. Russia now believes that peace talks between the Russian and Ukrainian delegations in Belarus are not an "alternative way" to resolve the conflict.

According to Kuleba, "the negotiations were difficult." The minister said he had canvassed with Lavrov a 24-hour ceasefire to address "the most pressing humanitarian issues," but to no result: "We have not succeeded in this. We think that other people in Russia will decide on this issue," said Ukrainian Foreign Affairs Minister. According to Lavrov, the ceasefire is in line with Putin's demands on Ukraine, Kuleba told Interfax-Ukraine.

The Ukrainian minister said he was ready to meet with Lavrov again in the presence of the Turkish foreign minister "if there are prospects for meaningful discussions and solutions." He also spoke about Lavrov's promise to discuss the construction of a humanitarian corridor from Mariupol with the relevant authorities, the report said.

P.S: Lavrov and Kuleba met in the framework of the Diplomatic Forum in Antalya, Turkey, where journalists were not included. Prior to the negotiations, Turkish Foreign Affairs Minister held separate talks with Turkish Foreign Minister Kuleba and Lavrov.