Russia delays peace talks and ramps up threats against Europe
Photo: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Getty Images)
Russia has once again claimed that it sees no readiness on Ukraine’s part for constructive negotiations to end the war, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
“The Russian authorities do not see Kyiv’s readiness for constructive negotiations to resolve the Russian-Ukrainian conflict,” Lavrov said.
He once again cynically claimed that “the Ukrainian side is terrorizing civilians and carrying out sabotage against civilian infrastructure.”
Lavrov also stated that the Armed Forces of Ukraine “continue attempts to change the situation at the front, where the Russian army has firmly seized the strategic initiative.”
In addition, Russia’s foreign minister threatened Europe, saying that if military contingents of the so-called Coalition of the Willing appear in Ukraine, “they will become legitimate targets for the Russian Armed Forces.”
“The ambitions of European politicians are literally blinding them: it seems they feel no pity not only for Ukrainians, but also for their own populations. How else can one explain the ongoing discussions in Europe about sending military contingents to Ukraine in the format of a Coalition of the Willing?” Lavrov said.
US peace plan
As a reminder, Ukraine and the United States held a series of consultations during a meeting in Miami on December 19–21, focusing on four key documents — parts of a future peace agreement. Most issues were agreed upon, but the territorial question remains the most difficult.
Recently, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy disclosed for the first time the contents of the 20 points of the peace plan.
The United States has stated that ending the war in Ukraine and achieving lasting peace there is entirely possible within the next 90 days. US President Donald Trump’s administration plans to apply pressure on both sides — Russia and Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Russia is demanding changes to the latest version of the US peace plan to end the war in Ukraine. In particular, the Kremlin wants greater restrictions on Ukraine’s Armed Forces, as well as solutions regarding sanctions and Russia’s frozen assets.
It is also worth noting that today, December 28, Zelenskyy is scheduled to meet with US President Donald Trump. The meeting will take place at Trump’s residence in Florida, where the leaders will discuss the peace plan.
According to media reports, Zelenskyy plans to use the meeting with Trump to resolve key disagreements over the draft peace agreement.
Zelenskyy has promised that territorial issues will be a central topic during the talks with Trump.
According to the Ukrainian president, he will discuss both Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant with Trump. European leaders will also take part in the meeting online.
