US President Donald Trump welcomed Russian President Putin’s idea positively and may convey it to Ukraine.
Russia wants to raise the level of the delegation in negotiations with Ukraine
Speaking to reporters on August 20, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that in a 40-minute phone call with Mr. Trump (on August 18), Mr. Putin proposed raising the level of the delegation in (future) working sessions between Russia and Ukraine.
“This is consistent with our proposal that, during the negotiation process, there should be a separate group to consider the political aspects of the solution to the conflict (such as control of territory), in addition to military and humanitarian issues,” Mr. Lavrov said.
According to Mr. Lavrov, US President Trump positively welcomed Russian President Putin’s idea, and Moscow also hopes that Mr. Trump will convey this idea to Kiev.
The next step is to wait for Ukraine’s response, Mr. Lavrov said.
At a press conference on August 20, Mr. Lavrov also noted that Ukraine had not responded to Russia’s proposal to set up three online working groups during the negotiations in Istanbul in July.
This proposal was made by Vladimir Medinsky – advisor to the Russian President.
During the negotiations, Mr. Medinsky also proposed that Ukraine coordinate the organization of humanitarian ceasefires lasting from 24 to 48 hours.