Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov announced that Moscow is open to fresh peace proposals on Ukraine that reflect ground realities, while South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung called for ending the 73-year armistice to pursue peaceful coexistence, marking significant diplomatic developments across two major international conflicts.
Moscow Signals Openness to Ukraine Peace Ideas
Russia is open to listening to new proposals on how to reach a settlement on the Ukraine conflict, a senior Russian diplomat stated. However, any proposals should reflect the realities on the ground,
according to Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov. After almost 4-1/2 years of war, Russia holds around a fifth of Ukraine’s internationally recognised territory. Moscow has repeatedly said it is open to talks, but that these must recognise the new realities on the ground.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stated in an interview with media outlet News.ru published on Friday that the U.S. demonstrated a readiness for constructive dialogue
and an understanding of Russia's position.
Ryabkov noted that Washington’s ability to influence Kyiv and its European allies remains a central factor. As Ryabkov told the outlet, At this stage, it is more important to what extent Washington is able to influence the decisions of the Kyiv regime and its European sponsors, who still dream of a 'strategic defeat' of Russia.
Diplomatic Channels and Nuclear Stability Talks
Negotiations between Russia and the U.S. to bring about an end to the conflict in Ukraine have largely stalled amid the war in Iran. The Kremlin said on Thursday that it had no information yet on a possible next visit to Moscow by U.S. presidential envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who have led negotiations with Russia in the past. Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said last month that Washington was committed to helping end the war, following a meeting in Manila with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov. Rubio cautioned that there was no quick deal ahead and the U.S. was trying to find a middle ground.
Ryabkov said Russia was ready to listen to Rubio’s new ideas and continue dialogue with Washington, adding that The Russian Federation is ready to listen to any reasonable proposals and ideas that are in line with the goals set by the Russian president and meet the 'realities on the ground'.
Beyond the conflict in Ukraine, Ryabkov also suggested that Russia was keen to maintain discussions with the U.S. on nuclear weapons. The New START nuclear treaty expired in February, leaving the world’s two biggest nuclear-armed powers with no binding constraints on their strategic arsenals for the first time in more than half a century. Moscow has said it will keep observing the treaty’s missile and warhead limits as long as Washington does the same. We remain open in the future to find political and diplomatic ways to stabilise this area,
Ryabkov said.
South Korea Calls for an End to the Korean War Armistice
Half a world away, South Korean leader Lee Jae Myung called for talks with North Korea to pursue peaceful coexistence,
saying the Korean peninsula’s 73-year-old armistice should be replaced with a “peace regime.” The Korean War of 1950-53 ended with a ceasefire and not a peace treaty. Speaking in a speech marking the 81st anniversary of Korea’s liberation from Japanese colonial rule at the end of World War II, President Lee called for dialogue to end the conflict once and for all. He said Seoul and Pyongyang must sit down together to pursue peaceful coexistence and shared growth.
“Peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula is a duty, not a choice.”
President Lee, South Korea
President Lee emphasized that rather than a concession, this would mark the start of coexistence, stating: “We’ll embark on a journey to end war and transform the Korean Peninsula’s unstable armistice into a peace regime. Let’s drop all intentions of threatening one another and initiate dialogue among directly concerned parties in order to conclude this long war.” He added that talks could also explore ways to curb Pyongyang’s nuclear capabilities, pledging that Seoul would take the steps needed to ease tensions on the peninsula and build safeguards to contain escalation.
Regional Relations and Future Outlook
Pyongyang’s relations with Seoul remain broken, with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un labelling the rival nation as the most hostile state and ordering stronger frontline defences. North Korea has criticised Seoul’s joint military drills with the US and its plan to build nuclear-powered submarines as grave provocations.
Speaking about his country’s ties with Japan, Mr. Lee said cooperation between the two countries was more important than ever.
He said that Seoul and Tokyo had broadened cooperation in recent years in supply chains, energy, and advanced industries. Guided by pragmatic diplomacy centred on national interests,
he said, my administration will continue to broaden the horizons of cooperation in pursuit of our shared interests and pool our collective wisdom to resolve common challenges.
The leader called for confronting the past while leaving open the future when dealing with the memory of Japanese colonial rule, noting that victims and bereaved families are still living with the wounds and pain of the past,
and hoping to launch 60 years of peace and prosperity with the close neighbour.
