MOSCOW/KYIV - Moscow is prepared to discuss security guarantees for Ukraine, however it is important to agree on broader security issues to end the ongoing conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday during his annual press briefing.
Lavrov said that eliminating threats on Russia's western borders would be essential, as this has been one of the root causes of the ongoing conflict. He noted that these threats can only be removed within the framework of broader agreements.
The Russian foreign minister noted that after US President-elect Donald Trump takes office, Moscow will study his official position on Ukraine.
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He further said Moscow welcomes the fact that the incoming US administration has focused more on the realities on the ground in Ukraine within the context of a potential resolution to the Ukrainian crisis.
Lavrov reiterated that Russian President Vladimir Putin is ready to meet Trump, adding however that there have currently been no proposals from the United States.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday met with visiting German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius to discuss military aid, according to the presidential press service.
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The key topics of the meeting included strengthening Ukraine's air defense, ammunition supplies, and procurement of Ukrainian weapons and equipment according to the Danish model, which envisages direct financing of Ukrainian arms manufacturers.
The parties also explored the potential of expanding joint projects on the production and repair of weapons and equipment in Ukraine.
During the talks, Zelensky noted that Germany has contributed about 16 percent of all aid Ukraine has received from its partners.
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For his part, Pistorius announced that Germany recently ordered 54 new RCH 155 self-propelled howitzers for Ukraine.
Pistorius arrived in Ukraine earlier in the day for his fourth visit.