Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, expressed doubts about whether European leaders can play a meaningful role in peace talks over Ukraine.

Speaking to reporters, Lavrov argued that Europe had already had “enough opportunities” to join efforts to terminate the conflict, and questioned what new European countries could bring to the negotiations.

“If Europe wants the war in Ukraine to continue, then why should it be invited to the talks?”
he said.

The Russian minister made the remarks at a joint news conference with his Serbian counterpart, as European leaders were heading to Paris for their own talks.

Earlier this morning, it was announced that Lavrov will join a Russian delegation traveling to Saudi Arabia for talks with US officials, including US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, to prepare for negotiations on a possible peace deal.