Russian General 'kill' bid: Harsh punishment awaits Zelensky as Lavrov pins attack blame on Ukraine?

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has accused Ukraine of trying to sabotage ongoing peace efforts after an assassination attempt on Lieutenant General Vladimir Alexeyev, a senior member of Russia’s negotiation team, in northwest Moscow. Doctors reportedly list Alexeyev’s condition as serious after he was shot multiple times, while Russian authorities say he served as deputy to Igor Kostyukov, who heads the Russian delegation in trilateral talks with Ukraine and the United States in Abu Dhabi. Lavrov branded the attack a “terrorist act” and claimed it proves Kyiv’s intention to derail negotiations, though he said any change in Russia’s stance at the talks will be decided by the country’s leadership. The second round of trilateral peace talks between Russia, Ukraine, and the U.S. concluded in Abu Dhabi on February 4–5, adding further tension and uncertainty around the fragile diplomatic process. Watch for developments.