Russia does not see the purpose in a “loose ceasefire” that would merely freeze the war in Ukraine. Instead, Moscow seeks a legally binding agreement that would guarantee long-lasting peace and ensure the security of Russia and its neighbors, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated.
“A ceasefire is a path that leads nowhere,” Lavrov said, adding that Moscow believes the West would use such a ceasefire to further arm Ukraine.
“We need final legal agreements that will establish all the conditions to guarantee the security of the Russian Federation and, of course, the legitimate security interests of our neighbors,” Lavrov emphasized.
He also added that Moscow wants legal documents that will ensure “the impossibility of violating these agreements.”
Last month, Reuters reported that Russian President Vladimir Putin was open to ceasefire talks with newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump, but excluded any significant territorial concessions, insisting that Kyiv abandon its aspirations for NATO membership.
Putin Willing for Compromise, But on His Terms
Last week, Putin stated he was ready for compromise on Ukraine during potential talks with Trump to end the war, but that conditions for negotiations with the Ukrainian authorities currently do not exist.
“Russia is willing to cooperate with the new Trump administration to improve relations if the United States shows serious intentions, but the first step must come from Washington,” Lavrov conveyed.
Putin also mentioned that the conflict is complex, and that it is “difficult and senseless to speculate about the future, but we continue to work on achieving our initial goals, which we set at the beginning of the special military operation.”
Trump, who has repeatedly stated that he will stop the war in Ukraine, mentioned on Sunday that Putin wants to meet with him. However, Russia claims that there has been no contact with the incoming Trump administration.
Trump’s designated ambassador to Ukraine, retired General Keith Kellogg, is expected to visit Kyiv and several other European capitals in early January as the new administration works towards quickly ending the war between Russia and Ukraine, sources familiar with Republican plans revealed.
“I sincerely hope that the Trump administration, including Kellogg, will address the root causes of this conflict. We are always ready for consultations,” Lavrov concluded.
