Tensions Rise Over Peacekeeping Plans
Russia’s foreign minister, Sergey Lavrov, has strongly criticized Keir Starmer’s proposal to deploy NATO troops as peacekeepers in Ukraine.
Lavrov insists that any attempt for peacekeepers to patrol the Russia-Ukraine border, even under a different flag, would be completely unacceptable.
“Any appearance by armed forces under some other flag does not change anything,” he declared.
His deputy, Alexander Grushko, echoed this sentiment, warning that such a move would only escalate tensions.
The U.S.-Russia Talks Begin
The heated exchange comes at a time when U.S. and Russian officials are trying to find a way to end the war that began in February 2022.
The first round of peace talks took place in Saudi Arabia, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Advisor Mike Waltz, and Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff met with Lavrov and Putin’s aide, Yuri Ushakov.
These talks represent a major shift in U.S. foreign policy under President Trump, focusing on how to bring an end to the war that has devastated Ukraine.
Rubio described the talks as the “first step of a long and difficult journey,” emphasizing that any peace agreement must be acceptable to all parties involved.
However, he made it clear that President Trump would be the one to make a breakthrough in this situation.
He argued that only Trump could bring people together to seriously discuss the issue.
Ukraine’s Exclusion and Frustration
A key moment during the talks was the exclusion of Ukraine from the discussions.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed his anger over being left out, even canceling his planned trip to Saudi Arabia.
Zelensky’s frustration is understandable, as Ukraine is seeking security guarantees as part of any peace deal.
He made it clear that Ukraine would not accept any agreement without its participation, rejecting Russia’s ultimatums.
While Zelensky was furious, other European leaders, including French President Emmanuel Macron, have been discussing potential peace solutions in parallel.
Macron called for strong security guarantees for Ukraine and stated that Russia’s aggression must end for lasting peace to be achieved.
The Path Forward: What’s at Stake?
As these negotiations continue, both sides are laying out their demands.
The U.S. and Russia agreed on a four-point plan to move forward, focusing on restoring diplomatic missions, appointing a high-level negotiating team, and discussing economic and geopolitical cooperation.
However, significant challenges remain.
Russia has made it clear that NATO membership for Ukraine is a non-starter, and they expect the alliance to renounce its 2008 promise to let Ukraine join in the future.
Despite these challenges, Rubio insists that the talks are a productive start and that peace is still within reach, provided both sides can come to an agreement.
He stressed that it will take time, hard negotiations, and a willingness to compromise from all involved.
Whether a peace agreement can ultimately be reached will depend on the willingness of both sides to move toward a resolution.
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