Investing.com -- Russia has rejected the incoming US President Donald Trump's appeal for an immediate ceasefire in Ukraine. However, the country has indicated its readiness to engage in discussions aimed at a lasting peace agreement, putting to an end a war that has raged for nearly three years.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, during an online news conference on Thursday, dismissed the ceasefire idea as a "road to nowhere." Lavrov argued that Ukraine might exploit such a ceasefire to bolster its military capabilities. He emphasized the necessity for definitive, legally binding agreements that would ensure the security of the Russian Federation and its neighboring countries.
The Ukrainian government finds itself on the back foot as Russia continues to make gradual advances on the battlefield. Signals from Trump and his team suggest that Russian President Vladimir Putin may retain effective control over the nearly 20% of Ukrainian territory currently occupied by his forces. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy appears to be softening his stance, hinting that his administration could resort to diplomatic methods to reclaim its territory.
Russia is also insisting that Ukraine abandon its efforts to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) and agree to strict limitations on the size of its military. These conditions have been staunchly refused by Kyiv.
Lavrov expressed his hope that the Trump administration would concentrate on the root causes of the conflict. He quoted President Putin's readiness to consider any serious, concrete proposals.
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