Russia has expressed a willingness to engage in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, provided that the initiative comes from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
However, Moscow emphasized that any dialogue must acknowledge the current territorial realities, according to the Russian ambassador to the United Nations in Geneva.
Trump, a critic of extensive Western aid to Ukraine, has promised a swift end to the conflict but has not outlined his plan. His election victory on November 5 has triggered concerns in Kyiv and across Europe regarding the future level of U.S. support for Ukraine’s defense efforts.
“Trump promised to settle the Ukrainian crisis overnight. OK, let him try,” commented Gennady Gatilov, Russia’s UN ambassador in Geneva. “But we are realistic; we understand this will not happen overnight. Still, if he initiates or suggests a political process, it would be welcome.”
Gatilov stressed that any negotiations must reflect what he termed the “realities on the ground.” Russian forces have been advancing at their fastest pace in over a year, currently controlling approximately one-fifth of Ukraine. He characterized Ukraine’s position as weakened and pointed to Russia’s territorial control as a key factor for any potential peace framework.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has consistently asserted that peace is unattainable until Russian forces are fully withdrawn and all captured territory, including Crimea, is returned. His recent “victory plan” outlines these demands and reaffirms Ukraine’s intention to pursue NATO membership, a move that Russia has strongly opposed. Zelensky has warned European leaders that compromising with Moscow would be “unacceptable for Ukraine and suicidal for all of Europe.”
Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine has rekindled tensions reminiscent of the Cold War, as efforts led by the current U.S. administration have sought to isolate Moscow on the global stage. Gatilov acknowledged that Trump’s election could open a narrow window for renewed dialogue, though he voiced skepticism about any significant reset in bilateral relations.
“The U.S. political elite, regardless of domestic shifts, consistently pursues a strategy aimed at containing Moscow. This approach is deeply ingrained, and a change of administration does little to alter it,” Gatilov remarked. “The only potential change might be the opportunity for dialogue, something that has been absent in recent years.”
As the world watches the upcoming Trump administration, the possibility of peace in Ukraine and the evolution of U.S.-Russia relations remain uncertain.
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