Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has flatly dismissed informal proposals from allies of President-elect Donald Trump to resolve the war in Ukraine, delivering a blow to Trump’s promise to freeze the conflict.
Lavrov, speaking to Russian state media outlet TASS, stated that Moscow had “not received any official signals regarding a settlement in Ukraine” and expressed the Kremlin’s resistance to unofficial ideas floated by Trump’s team.
“We are not happy, of course, with the proposals made by members of the Trump team to postpone Ukraine’s admission to NATO for 20 years and to station British and European peacekeeping forces in Ukraine,” Lavrov said, referencing leaked reports about Trump’s proposed plans. Instead, he called for “reliable and legally binding agreements” to address the root causes of the conflict and prevent future violations.
Trump’s Bold Claims on Ending the War
While Trump has yet to unveil any formal proposals, he has repeatedly claimed he could end the war in Ukraine swiftly after taking office. Earlier this month, he acknowledged the complexities of resolving the conflict, describing it as potentially more challenging than achieving peace in the Middle East. Despite this, Trump has pledged to end the war within 24 hours of assuming the presidency.
In a recent interview with Time magazine, Trump declined to reveal details of his plan, stating it would become “a worthless plan” if disclosed prematurely. However, he emphasized that any agreement must ensure Ukraine is not abandoned, amid concerns he could cede eastern Ukrainian territory occupied by Russian forces without adequate security guarantees for Kyiv.
Proposals and Pushback
Trump’s advisers, including retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, have suggested pressuring Ukraine to negotiate by threatening to withhold aid and using the promise of increased military support to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin to the table. Proposed solutions reportedly include delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership and supporting a European peacekeeping force in exchange for security guarantees.
However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has made NATO membership a cornerstone of his strategy, viewing it as essential for Ukraine’s security. Lavrov, meanwhile, reiterated Russia’s stance, stating Moscow “would refuse to accept Ukraine’s NATO membership regardless of the territorial factor.”
As Trump prepares to take office, the chasm between his ambitious rhetoric and the entrenched positions of Moscow and Kyiv suggests that achieving a quick resolution to the conflict will be a significant challenge.
