Russia’s Lavrov to Discuss Ukraine, Grain and Energy in Visit to Türkiye

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a ceremony to receive credentials from newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Russia, at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (AP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a ceremony to receive credentials from newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Russia, at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (AP)
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Russia’s Lavrov to Discuss Ukraine, Grain and Energy in Visit to Türkiye

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a ceremony to receive credentials from newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Russia, at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (AP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov attends a ceremony to receive credentials from newly appointed foreign ambassadors to Russia, at the Kremlin, in Moscow, Russia, Wednesday, April 5, 2023. (AP)

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and his Turkish counterpart Mevlut Cavusoglu will discuss the conflict in Ukraine, energy cooperation and the Black Sea grain deal during a two-day visit by a Russian delegation this week.

Türkiye has positioned itself as a potential intermediary between Kyiv and Moscow in the 13-month conflict, brokering the only significant diplomatic breakthrough so far in the shape of a deal that facilitates exports of grain from Ukraine's Black Sea ports despite a Russian blockade.

Russia's foreign ministry said on Wednesday that Lavrov and Cavusoglu would use the visit on Thursday and Friday to touch base on the "situation in Ukraine" as well as consult on a wide range of regional and international issues.

"The ministers will exchange views on the current state of the Ukraine crisis, discuss the principles and means of a peaceful settlement of the conflict - which is only possible if Kyiv takes into account Russian interests and concerns," the ministry said.

Moscow has said it is open to negotiations, but that Kyiv, must recognize the "new realities" of the conflict - namely Russia's unilateral annexation of four Ukrainian regions last year and Crimea in 2014.

Zelenskiy has said he will not discuss a ceasefire until Russian troops have left every inch of Ukrainian territory.

Moscow said Lavrov and Cavusoglu would also discuss the state of the grain deal - which Russia said last month it would extend for 60 days despite the United Nations, Ukraine and Türkiye pushing for a repeat 120-day rollover.

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said a week ago that Russian President Vladimir Putin could visit in April for the inauguration of the Russian-built Akkuyu nuclear power plant, but the Kremlin has said there are no plans for a visit.



White House: Trump to Decide on US Action in Israel-Iran Conflict Within 2 Weeks

First responders inspect a heavily-damaged building at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba in southern Israel following an Iranian missile attack on June 19, 2025. (Photo by MAYA LEVIN / AFP)
First responders inspect a heavily-damaged building at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba in southern Israel following an Iranian missile attack on June 19, 2025. (Photo by MAYA LEVIN / AFP)
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White House: Trump to Decide on US Action in Israel-Iran Conflict Within 2 Weeks

First responders inspect a heavily-damaged building at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba in southern Israel following an Iranian missile attack on June 19, 2025. (Photo by MAYA LEVIN / AFP)
First responders inspect a heavily-damaged building at Soroka Hospital in Beersheba in southern Israel following an Iranian missile attack on June 19, 2025. (Photo by MAYA LEVIN / AFP)

The White House said on Thursday that President Donald Trump will make a decision on whether the US will get involved in the Israel-Iran conflict in the next two weeks.

Citing a message from Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters: "Based on the fact that there's a substantial chance of negotiations that may or may not take place with Iran in the near future, I will make my decision whether or not to go within the next two weeks."

Trump said Wednesday he doesn’t want to carry out a US strike on Iran but suggested he stands ready to act if it’s necessary to extinguish Iran’s nuclear program.

Russia warned the US against entering the Israel-Iran conflict.

“US military interference would be an extremely dangerous step with truly unpredictable negative consequences,” Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said at a briefing.

The comments come after Iran’s state media said the country’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will meet with European counterparts in Geneva on Friday.

French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot did not confirm the Geneva meeting.

The message from Iranian authorities was “relatively clear: there is a willingness to resume talks, including with the United States, provided that a ceasefire can be reached,” Barrot told a news conference in Paris.

Barrot said that France and Europeans partners are ready to “resume negotiations” with Iran.