Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's remarks on maintaining strikes on Russian targets were unhelpful in preparing a new round of peace talks, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Friday.
Speaking on the sidelines of the G20 Foreign Ministers' Meeting in Atlanta, the United States, Lavrov said Russia-U.S.-Ukraine trilateral talks would take place. But he stressed that Russia's position remains unchanged and that Russia cannot accept Ukraine becoming a military threat to its security interests.
He also said fundamental issues between Russia and the U.S. were not being resolved, as the U.S. kept sanctioning Moscow and sending arms to Kiev.
Zelensky said on the same day that Ukraine will expand long-range strike forces and has identified key priority targets for long-range strikes.
He added that Kiev is working to enable its drones and missiles to strike deeper into the Russian territory.
Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov said in a media interview on Friday that Russia plans to hold Russia-U.S.-Ukraine trilateral talks in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates, in November, with the United States playing a mediating role, but the specific date is still being coordinated.
Zelensky's belligerent remarks unhelpful to peace talks: Russian FM
