Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday, 23 September 2026, that Moscow would not halt its military operations in Ukraine during any potential negotiations, as Washington and Kyiv discussed steps to reduce escalation and pave the way for diplomatic efforts.
Lavrov rejects halting operations during negotiations
Speaking at a UN Security Council meeting devoted to Ukraine, Lavrov said: “Based on bitter experience, we will not halt the special military operation in any way throughout the negotiations, whatever form they take.” The Russian foreign minister accused European countries of seeking to use any pause in the fighting as a window to rearm Kyiv. He added that Europe’s aim was to replenish Ukraine’s military arsenal, which he described as depleted.
Lavrov’s comments came a day after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the United States and Ukraine wanted to end the war before winter. Zelenskyy made the remarks after meeting US President Donald Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly.
The Ukrainian president described his meeting with Trump as “positive and productive”, explaining that the two sides had discussed possible steps to reduce escalation, paving the way for diplomatic action aimed at ending the war. As part of US efforts, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that Washington was pressuring both Russia and Ukraine to halt reciprocal attacks targeting energy infrastructure in the two countries.
Strikes intensify as people are killed in Ukraine
The Russian position coincided with continued strikes on Ukraine, with at least seven people killed in Russian attacks targeting several areas, including Kyiv, Odesa and Donetsk.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified its attacks deep inside Russian territory in recent months, focusing particularly on energy facilities and logistical infrastructure, as long-range attacks between the two sides have escalated in tandem.
