Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov recently dismissed a proposed peace deal concerning Ukraine that supposedly came from advisors to President-elect Donald Trump. In a Monday interview with a Russian news agency, Lavrov stated that he was not pleased with the ideas being circulated, which included delaying Ukraine’s entry into NATO for two decades and placing European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine.
According to Lavrov, these proposals emerged through unofficial channels and coincided with Trump’s interview with a major magazine, though Trump did not mention NATO in that discussion. Lavrov accused NATO of expanding its influence for years, contributing significantly to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
Further criticizing NATO, Lavrov claimed that the alliance was involved in military operations and fighting alongside Ukrainian forces. He alleged that NATO had a role in recent conflicts affecting Russian regions, a statement reflecting ongoing tensions between Russia and Western nations.
During his interview, Trump expressed his belief that a resolution to the conflict would benefit both sides and emphasized that Russia might not have invaded Ukraine if he had been president in 2022. He also voiced his disapproval of sending missiles deep into Russia, arguing that this only escalates the conflict instead of leading towards peace.
Lavrov’s remarks came after President Vladimir Putin indicated that Russia could be open to negotiations with Trump, asserting that the country is in a stronger position now compared to 2022. Putin suggested that the willingness of the Ukrainian fighters to continue the struggle may soon diminish and reiterated Russia’s readiness for discussions and compromises.
As the situation unfolds, many are looking to see whether diplomatic efforts will gain momentum under a new U.S. administration led by Trump.
