Will Russia and Ukraine Discuss a "Limited Ceasefire"? Lavrov: Russia is Committed to Resolving the Russia-Ukraine Conflict on the Basis of "Eliminating the Roots of the Conflict"

Summary: "The war itself has put pressure on both Ukraine and Russia" — Ukraine may face its most difficult winter since the outbreak of the conflict, while Kyiv's deep strike operations have also posed energy challenges for Moscow.

[Global Times reporter Wang Tianmi, Global Times special correspondent in Russia, Xiao Xinxin] On the 23rd local time, Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Rubio in New York. After the talks, Rubio stated that both Russia and Ukraine expressed interest in a "limited ceasefire" concerning food issues and energy facility targets. On the same day, Ukrainian President Zelensky told U.S. media that the U.S. government is pushing for three steps to ease the Russia-Ukraine conflict and restart diplomacy. According to Reuters, Ukraine and its allies are "racing against time" to reach a limited agreement on a ceasefire for energy infrastructure and Black Sea shipping before winter arrives. According to information released by the Russian Foreign Ministry, Lavrov reiterated during his talks with Rubio that Russia will steadfastly advance the goals of its special military operation while also seeking to resolve the Russia-Ukraine conflict through political and diplomatic means based on "eliminating the root causes of the conflict."

The U.S. government proposes a "three-step" approach

According to reports from Reuters and Turkey's Anadolu Agency, Rubio told reporters after his talks with Lavrov on the 23rd that both Russia and Ukraine expressed interest in a "limited ceasefire" involving food and energy issues. He also stated, "This does not solve the problem of war, but I believe that in some ways, it could alleviate some of the global pressures arising from this war." In Rubio's view, the energy issue is complex, and both Russia and Ukraine see energy as a strategic target in the conflict.

During an interview with the U.S. news site Axios on the 23rd, Zelensky revealed that the three steps the U.S. government is pushing for to ease the Russia-Ukraine conflict and restart diplomacy include achieving a ceasefire for energy infrastructure, reopening the Black Sea grain corridor, and holding trilateral talks among the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine, potentially in Abu Dhabi, UAE. Zelensky stated, regarding the "energy ceasefire," "We are ready." He also mentioned that having representatives from all three parties in the same room is a key step toward easing the situation.

Axios reported that the last trilateral talks among the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine took place in February of this year, and since then, negotiations have been in a "deep freeze." Sources revealed that Russian President's special representative Dmitriev is expected to arrive in New York on the 24th to meet with U.S. presidential envoy Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Kushner to discuss the latest U.S. proposals.

Additionally, according to U.S. "Politico," Rubio stated on the 23rd that Trump has invited Putin to attend the G20 leaders' summit in Miami, USA, in December. The website of "Russia Today" reported that Russian presidential press secretary Peskov expressed "gratitude and appreciation" for this on the same day. He responded to this issue again on the 24th, stating that it is too early to discuss whether Putin will attend the G20 leaders' summit, but in any case, Russia plans to continue participating in the G20 and its activities.

According to a report by Russia's TASS on the 24th, regarding the U.S. invitation, Dmitriev commented on social media that while the EU and the UK continue to be trapped in "Biden-style thinking," the Trump administration advocates maintaining dialogue with Moscow and jointly solving problems.

Ukraine and its allies issue a statement, the U.S. did not participate

According to Axios, the Kremlin stated on the 23rd that the conditions for resuming peace talks with Ukraine are not yet in place, and there is currently no prospect for high-level meetings.

According to information released by the Russian Foreign Ministry on the 23rd, during discussions with Rubio on the path to resolving the Ukraine crisis, Lavrov pointed out that the Ukrainian authorities are closely cooperating with their "European financiers." The website of "Russia Today" reported that Lavrov told the U.S. side that Ukraine's deliberate attacks on cross-border infrastructure are exacerbating instability in the global energy market. Regarding U.S.-Russia relations, Lavrov stated that discussions around the prospects for economic cooperation, cultural exchanges, and facilitating personnel exchanges between the two countries are becoming increasingly active, and both sides should quickly "repair bilateral relations" based on the consensus reached by the two heads of state.

According to TASS, during the UN Security Council meeting on the Ukraine issue on the 23rd, Lavrov stated that after summarizing experiences, "Russia will not suspend its special military operation during any form of negotiations," and Europe hopes to give Ukraine "a breather" during the ceasefire to replenish its military strength.

According to reports from "Russia Today" and TASS, prior to the aforementioned meeting, Ukraine and its allies issued a joint statement demanding that Russia accept an "immediate and unconditional ceasefire" to allow for peace talks between Russia and Ukraine. The EU and its member states, the UK, Canada, and others signed this statement, but the U.S. did not participate.

Russian media: Different views on "limited ceasefire"

"The U.S. promotes a 'ceasefire on energy' between Russia and Ukraine: is it achievable?" Analysts interviewed by Qatar's Al Jazeera expressed cautious attitudes, believing that even if such a ceasefire is reached, it would not be primarily due to U.S. influence, but rather because "the war itself has put pressure on both Ukraine and Russia" — Ukraine may face its most difficult winter since the outbreak of the conflict, while Kyiv's deep strike operations have also posed energy challenges for Moscow.

Russian "bfm.ru" news website analyzed on the 23rd that there may be different understandings and claims regarding the "limited ceasefire" involving energy and other areas. Kyiv believes that Moscow should be prohibited from attacking energy facilities such as power grids, heating facilities, natural gas infrastructure, and water supply facilities. The Russian side, however, is focused on other aspects. Peskov previously stated that the key issue is how to transport oil products to the global market, and it is necessary to ensure the safety of commercial shipping and tanker navigation. However, the Ukrainian authorities have not yet shown a willingness to ensure such safety. Additionally, the Russian side believes that sanctions against it and restrictions on Russian energy exports should be lifted.

Russian "Tsargrad" TV website analyzed on the 23rd that Russia is currently gradually increasing the protection of its energy facilities and adapting to the evolving situation. In contrast, Ukraine is in greater need of a ceasefire in the energy sector, as it is facing a severe shortage of interceptors for the "Patriot" air defense system, and the winter air defense situation will be even more severe.