Lavrov Comments on Trump’s Efforts for Peace in Ukraine
Incoming US President Donald Trump has committed to resolving the conflict swiftly. Read Full Article at RT.com
TroibNews 
The incoming US president has committed to resolving the conflict in Ukraine as quickly as possible.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed skepticism regarding the potential for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict with President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office next month. Speculation about the possibility of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine has intensified following Trump's election victory, as the Republican has consistently promised to expedite an end to the hostilities.
During an interview on the program 60 Minutes, aired on the Rossiya TV channel, Lavrov acknowledged that there are expectations for changes with Trump's presidency. However, he emphasized that any resolution must consider "the national interests of Russia" alongside the “legitimate interests of other countries.”
Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's willingness to engage in discussions, stating, “we never abandon negotiations … but we need to see serious, concrete proposals...”
He also acknowledged recent comments from Trump's special adviser on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who indicated that the incoming president aims to halt the conflict in Ukraine “as quickly as possible.” Kellogg, a retired US Army General, stated in a Fox News interview that establishing sustainable peace between Russia and Ukraine is among Trump's key foreign policy objectives. He expressed Trump's desire for a peace that is “fair… sustainable, and secure,” cautioning against a repetition of the now-defunct Minsk agreements.
The Minsk agreements, brokered by Germany and France in 2014, aimed to grant the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which are now part of Russia, special status within Ukraine.
Moscow has consistently indicated its openness to talks regarding Ukraine, emphasizing that any discussions must acknowledge the “reality on the ground” concerning territorial issues. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted a presidential decree in the fall of 2022, prohibiting negotiations with the current Russian leadership following overwhelming votes in four former Ukrainian regions to join Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted on Tuesday that Kiev remains resistant to engaging in diplomatic dialogue.
Reports suggest that one peace plan under consideration by Trump might involve freezing the conflict along the existing front lines without acknowledging Russia's claims to Ukrainian territories, while also pausing Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations. Moscow, however, has dismissed any notion of a conflict freeze, arguing it would grant Ukraine time to rearm. It maintains that the conflict will only conclude once its goals—such as Ukraine’s neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification—are fulfilled. Moscow has also indicated it would declare a ceasefire and initiate peace talks if Ukraine withdraws from all territories claimed by Russia, including the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has expressed skepticism regarding the potential for a swift resolution to the Ukraine conflict with President-elect Donald Trump set to assume office next month. Speculation about the possibility of peace talks between Russia and Ukraine has intensified following Trump's election victory, as the Republican has consistently promised to expedite an end to the hostilities.
During an interview on the program 60 Minutes, aired on the Rossiya TV channel, Lavrov acknowledged that there are expectations for changes with Trump's presidency. However, he emphasized that any resolution must consider "the national interests of Russia" alongside the “legitimate interests of other countries.”
Lavrov reaffirmed Moscow's willingness to engage in discussions, stating, “we never abandon negotiations … but we need to see serious, concrete proposals...”
He also acknowledged recent comments from Trump's special adviser on Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, who indicated that the incoming president aims to halt the conflict in Ukraine “as quickly as possible.” Kellogg, a retired US Army General, stated in a Fox News interview that establishing sustainable peace between Russia and Ukraine is among Trump's key foreign policy objectives. He expressed Trump's desire for a peace that is “fair… sustainable, and secure,” cautioning against a repetition of the now-defunct Minsk agreements.
The Minsk agreements, brokered by Germany and France in 2014, aimed to grant the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, which are now part of Russia, special status within Ukraine.
Moscow has consistently indicated its openness to talks regarding Ukraine, emphasizing that any discussions must acknowledge the “reality on the ground” concerning territorial issues. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky enacted a presidential decree in the fall of 2022, prohibiting negotiations with the current Russian leadership following overwhelming votes in four former Ukrainian regions to join Russia.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted on Tuesday that Kiev remains resistant to engaging in diplomatic dialogue.
Reports suggest that one peace plan under consideration by Trump might involve freezing the conflict along the existing front lines without acknowledging Russia's claims to Ukrainian territories, while also pausing Ukraine's NATO membership aspirations. Moscow, however, has dismissed any notion of a conflict freeze, arguing it would grant Ukraine time to rearm. It maintains that the conflict will only conclude once its goals—such as Ukraine’s neutrality, demilitarization, and denazification—are fulfilled. Moscow has also indicated it would declare a ceasefire and initiate peace talks if Ukraine withdraws from all territories claimed by Russia, including the Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson, and Zaporozhye regions.
James del Carmen contributed to this report for TROIB News
