Russia has firmly dismissed the notion of a ceasefire with Ukraine, labeling it a "road to nowhere". Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has critiqued Western discussions around a ceasefire, arguing that they serve only to "pump Ukraine with weapons" rather than foster genuine peace talks. Lavrov asserts that Russia requires concrete agreements, distinctly separating themselves from what he describes as "empty talks." At a recent press conference in Moscow, Lavrov reiterated Russia's