Russia makes peace negotiations conditional on recognition of Ukraine's annexed regions

Russian Foreign Minister Serguei Lavrov made it a condition for negotiating with Ukraine that the international community recognize the Russian annexation of Crimea, and the other Ukrainian regions it claims.

"International recognition of the belonging to Russia of Crimea, Sevastopol, the Donetsk People's Republic, the Lugansk People's Republic, the Kherson region and the Zaporiyia region is an imperative," Lavrov told Brazilian media outlet O Globo.

During the interview, the Russian minister explained that "the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine are also on the agenda, along with the lifting of sanctions, withdrawal of lawsuits and cancellation of arrest warrants, as well as the return of Russian assets subject to so-called freezing in the West."

In addition, Lavrov said, "We will also insist on obtaining strong security guarantees for the Russian Federation to protect it from any threats stemming from hostile activities of NATO, the European Union and some of its member states along our Western border."

Trump threatens Putin with sanctions after meeting with Zelensky and urges him to sign deal

Donald Trump criticized Vladimir Putin on Saturday for last week's recent attacks on civilian areas in Ukraine, which have left at least 46 dead and some 190 wounded, and claimed that perhaps the Russian leader "does not want to end the war."

In a Truth Social post after his meeting in Rome with Zelensky, during the funeral of Pope Francis, Trump claimed that "too many people are dying" and that Putin "has to be dealt with differently, through "banking" or "secondary sanctions."

Also on Sunday, Trump said he believes Zelensky is willing to give up Crimea, reiterating that he wants Putin to "stop shooting." From Morristown airport in New Jersey, before boarding Air Force One bound for Washington, the president told the media that he wants Putin to "sit down and sign an agreement."