In a significant development that could potentially alter the trajectory of the ongoing conflict, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced that Moscow is poised to sign a peace deal with Ukraine. This revelation comes amid heightened diplomatic efforts and international calls for a cessation of hostilities. As the world watches with bated breath, the prospect of a peace agreement raises hopes for an end to the suffering of millions and a step towards lasting stability in the region.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the Kremlin is “prepared to reach a deal” to bring an end to the war with Ukraine.

In an interview with CBS News on Thursday, Lavrov commented that U.S. President Donald Trump “believes, and I think rightly so, that we are moving in the right direction,” noting that Trump’s optimism about progress in resolving the Ukraine conflict is based on factual developments.

“The statement by the president mentions a deal, and we are ready to reach a deal. But there are still some specific points, elements of this deal, which needs to be fine-tuned,”.

“And we are busy with this exact process,” he said, explaining that the Russian side was continuing “our contacts with the American side on the situation in Ukraine.” Lavrov said.

Lavrov stated that the key sign of progress was that Trump was “probably the only leader on Earth who recognized the need to address the root causes of this situation.”

He also acknowledged the missile strikes on Kyiv on Thursday, which resulted in 12 deaths and 70 injuries, but insisted that Russian forces would only target legitimate military objectives or civilian sites being used by the Ukrainian military.

His comments came after Trump told reporters in the Oval Office on Thursday that a deal was “very close.”

“This next few days is going to be very important. Meetings are taking place right now,”

“I think we’re going to make a deal. I think we’re getting very close.” Trump stated

Earlier, Trump issued a rare public criticism of Putin in response to Thursday’s missile strikes—the largest assault in nine months—saying on his Truth Social platform that he was unhappy Moscow had launched such a deadly attack while peace negotiations were at a critical juncture.

These developments unfolded as Trump’s push to secure a peace agreement within his first 100 days in office entered a new, intensified phase.

On Friday morning, a U.S. aircraft carrying Special Envoy Steve Witkoff landed at Moscow’s Vnukovo International Airport. Witkoff is scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin for the fourth time in two months to advance the ongoing peace talks.

Meanwhile, Kyiv’s influential mayor, Vitali Klitschko, broke with President Volodymyr Zelensky’s administration, telling the BBC that Ukraine should consider temporarily ceding territory in exchange for peace.