On Friday (IST), Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the country is close to finalising an agreement with the US to end the war in Ukraine. However, he mentioned that there are still a few details that need to be "fine-tuned."

Lavrov made his comment after Russia carried out a deadly missile attack on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, which killed 12 people and injured over 70. In a TV interview, as reported by CBS News, Lavrov echoed US President Donald Trump’s view that peace is possible if both sides in the conflict are ready to come to an agreement. He said, “The President of the United States believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction.” He also said that Russia is willing to make a deal, just as the US president mentioned.

Lavrov made his remarks just a few hours after Donald Trump said that Russia had made a big compromise by not taking over all of Ukraine. The attack by Russia happened after Ukraine agreed to a ceasefire plan suggested by the US in March. According to Lavrov's interview, Russia only attacks military objectives or civilian locations that the military uses. He also said that the attack was ‘intentional’, and contended, “if this was a target used by the Ukrainian military,” then the minister of defence and commanders in the field “have the right to attack them”. Praising Trump, Lavrov said he is likely the only world leader who truly understands the importance of solving the core problem. Lavrov made this comment after Trump openly criticised Putin for the deadly missile and drone strikes on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv — one of the most severe attacks since July 2024.

Taking to Truth Social, his private social media platform, Trump wrote, “I am not happy with the Russian strikes on Kyiv. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying.” He asked Putin to ‘STOP’ the attacks and get a peace deal done. 

“I am not happy with the Russian strikes on KYIV. Not necessary, and very bad timing. Vladimir, STOP! 5000 soldiers a week are dying.” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social platform. “Lets get the Peace Deal DONE!” Trump's criticism of Putin stands out because he has often said that Russia is more willing than Ukraine to make a deal. “I didn’t like last night,” Trump said about Russia’s large attack on Kyiv, which led him to criticize Putin. “I wasn’t happy with it.” When dealing with Zelenskyy and Putin, Trump has focused on who has the upper hand. He has repeatedly said that Putin has “the cards,” while Zelenskyy does not.