Moscow did not receive 20-point peace plan but is ready for compromise, Russia's foreign minister says
Russia Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (photo: kremlin.ru)
Russia has not received a 20-point peace plan on ending the war in Ukraine through any channels. At the same time, Moscow is ready for compromises in negotiations, but only those that do not alter key principles, Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, according to Russian media.
According to him, Russia did not receive the 20-point peace plan either through official or unofficial channels. In Anchorage — at a meeting of leaders of Russia and the United States in August last year — a foundation was reached, Lavrov said.
"In Anchorage, we found approaches based on American initiative, American proposals, which opened the path to peace. On that basis, it was entirely realistic to promptly agree on a final settlement agreement," he said.
At the same time, Lavrov called subsequent versions of the peace agreement "attempts to rape American initiative" by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his team.
Europe, Zelenskyy, and compromise
Russia's foreign minister also claims that Europe and Kyiv are proposing a "tolerance treaty" instead of "real protection of human rights in Ukraine." He says Europe is "reworking" those agreed points that were reached by leaders in Anchorage.
Lavrov also said in an interview with a Russian internet project that Zelenskyy claims that in the event of a ceasefire, "NATO will deploy missiles in Ukraine capable of reaching Russian cities."
Head of Russian diplomacy also stressed that the goals of "special military operation in Ukraine" remain unchanged and are not subject to opportunistic compromises.
"He explained that Russia is ready for compromises, but they cannot concern key principles on which the life of the state and millions of people depend," the Russian outlet writes.
The Minister also emphasized that "the legitimate interest of Russia in the context of the special military operation is to ensure its security."
US peace plan and negotiations
As is known, in November last year, Washington proposed a so-called peace plan to Ukraine consisting of 28 points. It envisaged significant concessions to Russia and was immediately criticized by both Kyiv and European partners.
After that, Ukraine and Europe held several meetings at which they adapted the peace plan into a more or less acceptable version for Kyiv — the plan was reduced to 20 points.
Then Ukraine, the United States, and Europe repeatedly met to discuss the plan, and the American side also traveled to Moscow for the same purpose.
According to Zelenskyy, the peace plan, from the perspective of security guarantees, has been refined, but overall, it is 90% ready. Key issues for concluding peace remain the questions of territories and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant.
Moscow wants full control over Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, but Kyiv opposes such a scenario. Latest negotiations took place on February 4–5 in Abu Dhabi — Ukraine, Russia, and the United States again tried to reach an agreement.
