Russia's Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has dismissed a reported peace deal involving Ukraine and NATO, attributing the proposals to President-elect Trump's advisors. In an interview with a state-run Russian news agency, Lavrov expressed dissatisfaction with the purported U.S. plans to suspend hostilities along the line of contact and shift confrontation responsibilities to Europeans.
Lavrov criticized the proposal to delay Ukraine's NATO membership for 20 years and deploy British and European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine, which he claimed were leaked by Trump's team. However, no official American announcement has been made regarding this deal.
The Foreign Minister accused NATO of expanding its influence over the years, citing it as a primary factor in the Ukraine crisis. He also alleged NATO's involvement in combat operations alongside Ukrainian forces, including the invasion of the Kursk Region and missile strikes inside Russia.
In response, Trump emphasized the importance of ending the Russo-Ukrainian war, stating his disagreement with escalating conflicts through long-range missile strikes. He expressed a desire for negotiation and compromise to reach a peaceful resolution.
Russian President Vladimir Putin recently signaled a willingness to engage in compromise with Trump, highlighting Russia's readiness for negotiations and concessions. Putin suggested that the pool of Ukrainians willing to fight would diminish, underscoring the need for both sides to be prepared for discussions and flexibility.
While Trump's team was contacted for comment, no immediate response was received. The diplomatic exchanges between Russia, Ukraine, NATO, and the U.S. continue to shape the geopolitical landscape in the region.
