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.



Trump Says Iran Must Give Up Dream of Nuclear Weapon or Face Harsh Response

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, April 14, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, April 14, 2025. (AFP)
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Trump Says Iran Must Give Up Dream of Nuclear Weapon or Face Harsh Response

US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, April 14, 2025. (AFP)
US President Donald Trump speaks during a meeting with El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele in the Oval Office of the White House in Washington, DC, April 14, 2025. (AFP)

President Donald Trump said on Monday he believes Iran is intentionally delaying a nuclear deal with the United States and that it must abandon any drive for a nuclear weapon or face a possible military strike on Tehran's atomic facilities.

"I think they're tapping us along," Trump told reporters after US special envoy Steve Witkoff met in Oman on Saturday with a senior Iranian official.

Both Iran and the United States said on Saturday that they held "positive" and "constructive" talks in Oman. A second round is scheduled for Saturday, and a source briefed on the planning said the meeting was likely to be held in Rome.

The source, speaking to Reuters on the condition of anonymity, said the discussions are aimed at exploring what is possible, including a broad framework of what a potential deal would look like.

"Iran has to get rid of the concept of a nuclear weapon. They cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump said.

Asked if US options for a response include a military strike on Tehran's nuclear facilities, Trump said: "Of course it does."

Trump said the Iranians need to move fast to avoid a harsh response because "they're fairly close" to developing a nuclear weapon.

The US and Iran held indirect talks during former President Joe Biden's term, but they made little, if any progress. The last known direct negotiations between the two governments were under then-President Barack Obama, who spearheaded the 2015 international nuclear deal that Trump later abandoned.