Moscow is willing to engage in talks with President-elect Donald Trump, as stated by Russia’s top diplomat on Tuesday. He commended Trump for highlighting NATO’s intentions to include Ukraine as a key factor in the ongoing conflict. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasized the importance of broader security arrangements in Europe in any potential peace discussions. He also mentioned Moscow’s readiness to discuss security assurances for Kyiv.
Lavrov praised Trump’s recent remarks criticizing NATO’s plans to admit Ukraine, which he believes led to the current hostilities. Trump firmly stated that Ukraine should never join NATO, a sentiment shared by Russia. Lavrov noted that Trump’s comments were a rare acknowledgment from a Western leader that NATO had not upheld its promises regarding expansion.
While Russia justifies its military actions in Ukraine as a response to perceived threats from NATO, Ukraine and its allies view Russia’s actions as unprovoked aggression. Lavrov highlighted the disagreement over NATO’s expansion towards Russia’s borders, which Moscow perceives as a breach of agreements.
Despite the ongoing conflict, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has pushed for either NATO membership or comprehensive security guarantees to deter future Russian aggression. However, NATO member countries have stated that Ukraine’s accession will only occur after the conflict ends.
Trump has expressed his desire to facilitate peace in Ukraine and has signaled a potential meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Lavrov reiterated Putin’s willingness to engage in dialogue with Trump and expressed eagerness to hear Trump’s stance on Ukraine once he assumes office.
In the meantime, the outgoing Biden administration has increased military aid to Ukraine and imposed new sanctions on Russia’s oil industry. Lavrov criticized these actions, accusing the Biden administration of trying to complicate matters for the incoming Trump administration.
As the situation in Ukraine remains volatile, all parties involved are cautiously navigating the diplomatic landscape in pursuit of a lasting resolution.
“Events have a way of screwing things up for the incoming administration,” he said. He emphasized that any prospective peace talks must address Russia’s security concerns and reflect a broad European security environment. “Threats on the western flank, on our western borders, must be eliminated as one of the main reasons (of the conflict),” he said. “They can probably be eliminated only in the context of some broader agreements.” He added that Moscow is also open to discuss security guarantees for Kyiv, “for the country, which is now called Ukraine.”
Lavrov was asked about Trump’s comments in which he wouldn’t rule out using force or economic pressure to make Greenland — a semiautonomous territory of Denmark — a part of the United States. Lavrov emphasized that the people of Greenland must be asked what they want. “For a start, it’s necessary to listen to the Greenlanders,” Lavrov said, noting that they have the right for self-determination if they believe that their interests aren’t duly represented by Denmark.
