In a significant development that signals a possible shift in diplomatic momentum surrounding the Ukraine conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov and US Secretary of State Marco Rubio held a phone conversation on April 17 to discuss ongoing efforts toward resolving the crisis. According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, the call centered on the Ukraine conflict and recent multilateral contacts aimed at forging a political settlement.

The timing and content of this high-level dialogue underscore growing international efforts to push toward a negotiated resolution to the war, now into its third year. The conversation took place shortly after a series of meetings in Paris between American, Ukrainian, and European officials, led by Rubio and Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff. The meetings reportedly focused on a peace framework drafted by the United States, which Washington hopes can serve as the basis for a durable ceasefire and long-term settlement.

During the call, Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s long-standing position: that Russia is ready to engage in serious negotiations to resolve the conflict at its roots. “Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s readiness to continue working together with American colleagues to reliably resolve the root causes of the Ukrainian crisis,” the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Moscow’s focus on “root causes” reflects its narrative that the conflict stems not just from territorial disputes, but also from broader geopolitical tensions with NATO, Western involvement in Ukraine’s internal affairs, and the 2014 Maidan coup. Russia continues to insist that any meaningful peace must involve recognition of the changed........

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