Moscow (Lamaane.net) - Russia is ready to consider new proposals for ending the Ukraine war if they reflect battlefield realities, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said on Friday, August 21.
Ryabkov, one of Russia’s senior diplomats responsible for relations with the United States, said Moscow remained open to diplomatic initiatives but would assess any proposal against its established objectives and the situation in territories affected by the conflict.
"The Russian Federation is ready to listen to any reasonable proposals and ideas,” Ryabkov said in an interview with Russian news outlet NEWS.ru published Friday, adding that proposals would need to take into account what Moscow describes as the "realities on the ground.”
His remarks signal that Russia has not ruled out further negotiations as diplomatic efforts continue to identify possible terms for ending a war that has reshaped European security and relations between Moscow and Western governments.
Ryabkov also said the United States had demonstrated a willingness to pursue "constructive dialogue” and showed an understanding of Russia’s position. He identified Washington’s ability to influence Ukraine and its European partners as a significant factor in determining whether diplomatic efforts could advance.
"At this stage, the most important thing is the extent to which Washington can influence the decisions of the Kyiv regime and its European sponsors,” Ryabkov said, accusing them of continuing to seek what he called a "strategic defeat” of Russia.
Ukraine and European governments reject Moscow’s characterization of their policies, maintaining that their support is intended to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and internationally recognized borders.
The comments come as fundamental disagreements continue to complicate efforts toward a negotiated settlement. Territorial control remains among the most difficult issues, alongside security guarantees, military arrangements and the conditions under which hostilities could end.
Russia controls parts of internationally recognized Ukrainian territory following its full-scale invasion launched in February 2022 and earlier seizure of Crimea in 2014. Ukraine has repeatedly said it will not recognize Russian sovereignty over occupied areas and has called for a settlement consistent with its territorial integrity.
For Moscow, references to conditions "on the ground” indicate that territorial control remains central to its negotiating position. For Kyiv and its European partners, accepting territorial changes imposed through military force raises broader questions about sovereignty and the principles governing European security.
