China News Agency, Moscow, March 10 (Reporter Tian Bing) Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba held talks in Antalya, Turkey on the 10th local time, and held press conferences after the talks.

Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu attended the talks.

  Lavrov said that the Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers discussed the possibility of talks between the leaders of the two countries.

The Russian side is preparing to hold meetings in various forms, including the highest-level meeting, "but preparations are necessary for this." He said that Russian President Vladimir Putin never refuses to contact, but the Russian side hopes not to contact for the sake of contact, but to contact In order to reach some specific agreement.

  Lavrov said that in the latest round of Russia-Ukraine negotiations held in Belarus, the Russian side put forward specific proposals and finalized them in the form of draft legal documents.

The Ukrainian side said at the time that it would consider these suggestions and promised to give a specific reply as soon as possible. At present, the Russian side is waiting for the Ukrainian side's reply.

On March 10, local time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba held talks in Antalya, Turkey.

This is the highest-level meeting between Russia and Ukraine since Russia launched a special military operation against Ukraine.

  Regarding this meeting, Lavrov said that the Russian and Ukrainian delegations held a "transactional dialogue" in Belarus, and the foreign ministers' meeting in Antalya could not be "overstepped".

"We are not here to replace the negotiating process in Belarus opened by the Russian-Ukrainian president. There, the two sides discussed practical issues and explained in the most detailed way what needs to be done to end the crisis."

  Lavrov noted that Western countries are taking a dangerous move to supply Ukraine with lethal weapons that can move anywhere and are often used by terrorists to pose a threat to civil aviation.

He also criticized the United States for trying to persuade numerous countries to join the illegal sanctions against Russia.

  Lavrov said that the initiative to open up humanitarian corridors in Ukraine on a daily basis is still valid, and Russia has assured it.

  Kuleba said at a press conference after the meeting that Ukraine is ready to resolve the conflict with Russia through diplomatic channels, but so far has not seen an effective way.

"We are looking for diplomatic solutions, but when they don't exist, we will sacrifice ourselves to defend our territory and our people."

  Kuleba said that Ukraine and Russia have failed to make progress on the ceasefire issue. He is ready to continue negotiations with Russia, but Ukraine will not implement Russia's demands. He stressed that "Ukraine will not surrender."

  The talks lasted about an hour and a half and were the first contacts between Russian and Ukrainian foreign ministers since Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine.

Before the talks, Turkish Foreign Minister Cavusoglu held talks with Lavrov and Kurleba respectively.

  Cavusoglu said after the meeting that the meeting was held in a difficult atmosphere, but there was no tension between Russia and Ukraine, and it was a very "civilized" meeting.

(over)