Russian Foreign Minister comments on impending peace talks

Following several high level discussions initiated by US President Donald Trump, diplomatic efforts aimed at bringing an end to the war in Ukraine continue. 

The stated goal is for the presidents of the USA, Russia and Ukraine to come face-to-face and agree to a lasting peace plan.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Wednesday he remains cautiously optimistic.

"Our President has repeatedly stated that we are ready to work towards a peace agreement in any format, as long as they are sincere," said Lavrov.

He continued by saying peace talks must not be yet another attempt by European leaders to "re-engage the United States in an aggressive campaign of propping up Ukraine as an instrument to contain Russia and to wage war against our country and against everything Russian."

For their part, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt repeated that any eventual security guarantees for Ukraine - a key to the peace plan - would not involve US troops on the ground.

"The President has definitively stated that American boots on the ground will not be in Ukraine," said Leavitt.

However, the White House said they would continue to coordinate and provide other "security assurances to our European allies".

"The President understands that security assurances are essential to ensuring lasting peace, and he has directed his national security team to coordinate with our friends in Europe, but also to continue to discuss these issues with Ukraine and Russia as well," she concluded.