Russia rejected incoming US President Donald Trump’s call for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine, although said it is ready to hold negotiations on a lasting peace agreement to end almost three years of war.
“A ceasefire is a road to nowhere” that Ukraine will use to boost its military capabilities, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Thursday.in an online press conference. “We need conclusive and legally binding agreements that create all conditions to ensure the security of the Russian Federation and, of course, the legitimate security interests of our neighbors.”
As Ukraine remains on the defensive while Russia advances steadily on the battlefield, Trump and his advisers have signaled that President Vladimir Putin could retain de facto control of nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory. that occupy their forces.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelensky has also softened his stance by suggesting that his government could use diplomatic means. to recover their territory.
Moscow also demands that Ukraine formally renounce its bid to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). and accept strict limits on the size of its army, conditions that kyiv has firmly rejected.
“I hope the Trump administration focuses on the causes of the conflict”said Lavrov. “As President Putin said, we are ready to study any serious and concrete proposal.”
