Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov rejected a reported peace deal involving Ukraine and NATO, claiming that the proposals were made by President-elect Trump’s advisors. During an interview with TASS, a state-run Russian news agency, Lavrov stated that the U.S. plans to suspend hostilities along the line of contact and transfer responsibility for confrontation with Russia to the Europeans. He expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals put forth by members of Trump’s team to postpone Ukraine’s admission to NATO for 20 years and to station British and European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine. Lavrov mentioned that the deal was not officially announced by any American officials and came through leaks and Trump’s recent interview with TIME Magazine.
Lavrov criticized NATO for expanding its reach over the years, which he argued was a primary cause of the Ukraine crisis. He accused NATO of military involvement in planning combat operations and fighting alongside the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The foreign minister also claimed that NATO was complicit in the invasion of the Kursk Region and long-range missile strikes inside Russia, which was emphasized by President Vladimir Putin in his recent public statements. Lavrov suggested that those who accused Russia of various actions should reflect on their own actions instead.
During his TIME Person of the Year interview, Trump expressed a desire to end the Russo-Ukrainian war, stating that it would be advantageous for both sides. He criticized the escalation of the war through missile strikes into Russia and expressed his willingness to reach an agreement to avoid further conflict. Lavrov’s comments came after Putin’s expression of willingness to compromise with Trump, maintaining that Russia was in a stronger position compared to 2022. Putin emphasized the readiness of Russia for negotiations and compromises, stressing that soon there will be no one left in Ukraine who wants to fight.
Despite the calls for negotiation and compromise from both Russia and the United States, the situation remains tense. Lavrov’s rejection of the reported peace deal suggested that further discussions and diplomatic efforts are necessary to address the conflict in Ukraine. Trump’s team was approached for comment on the matter, but no response was provided at the time. The complex dynamics between Russia, Ukraine, NATO, and the U.S. require careful navigation and cooperation to achieve a lasting resolution to the conflict. Fox News Digital reached out to Trump’s team for comment, but did not immediately hear back. Reuters also contributed to the report, highlighting the international significance of the ongoing tensions and efforts for peace in the region.
