“Some conversations have improved, but the Ukrainian delegation is often taken by the Americans, and we still have the feeling that it will not agree to the demands,” said Lavrov, who believes in the demands.

Russia said on Friday it had made progress in talks with Ukraine to end the war. Russia’s chief negotiator, Vladimir Medinsky, has said one of Moscow’s demands is that the two sides compromise on the future militarization of Ukraine.

NATO

The Russians want Kiev to abandon NATO membership and Ukraine to become a neutral state. As for Russia, the countries in that region are also close. Other demands are that Kiev recognize that Crimea is a Russian state and that the treacherous regions of Donetsk and Luhansk are independent.

The Ukrainian spokesman spoke of “very difficult” talks. The West and Ukraine accuse Russia of using delaying tactics as the invasion appears to have not progressed.