Russia Establishes Red Lines in Ukraine Conflict as Donald Trump Prepares for Presidency
As US President-elect Donald Trump prepares to take office, Russia has set clear red lines regarding the ongoing Ukraine conflict, criticizing proposals reportedly emerging from Trump’s team. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, at a news conference on December 30, expressed displeasure over plans that suggested suspending hostilities along the frontlines and shifting responsibility for confronting Russia to Europe. He also condemned proposals to delay Ukraine’s NATO membership by 20 years and the potential deployment of British and European peacekeepers in Ukraine.
Lavrov emphasized that Moscow would not accept Ukraine’s NATO membership under any circumstances, highlighting the territorial issues at stake. He warned that any efforts to delay dialogue with Russia would face resistance, especially given the bipartisan opposition in the US to easing tensions with Moscow.
Lavrov also reiterated Russia’s firm stance against Ukraine joining NATO, emphasizing that Kyiv’s ongoing goal of restoring its 1991 borders and expelling Russian troops remains a significant obstacle to peace. He dismissed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s peace efforts, particularly the proposed peace summit, stating that Russia would not participate in any event that attempts to present an ultimatum.
A key priority for Russia, according to Lavrov, is Ukraine’s adoption of a non-aligned status, which he sees as a central goal of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine. He pointed to NATO’s eastward expansion as a key factor driving the crisis, underlining that achieving a non-aligned status for Ukraine remains a key objective.
Meanwhile, Trump has expressed optimism about brokering a swift resolution to the conflict, claiming he could end the war in 24 hours. However, significant divisions remain between Moscow and Kyiv. Both Putin and Zelenskyy have ruled out direct negotiations, with Putin demanding Ukraine’s withdrawal from the regions it claims and Ukraine rejecting any concessions on territorial integrity.
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