Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov told state media RIA Novosti that the Kremlin “remains open to negotiations” but there’s a need to consider “realities on the ground,” hinting at keeping occupied Ukrainian territories as a precondition, a notion considered unacceptable by Kyiv since day one of Moscow’s full-scale invasion.

Lavrov also praised Beijing’s “constructive line” in attempting to help settle the war in Ukraine, whose peace formula called for an end of hostilities under conditions that are favorable to Moscow. 

“Negotiations must be based on the principle of indivisibility of security and realities on earth,” said…