Russia is open to any peace talks regarding Ukraine, if Trump starts them - russian ambassador to UN
The aggressor state of russia is open to negotiations on ending the war in Ukraine, if they are initiated by the newly elected US President Donald Trump. In addition, any negotiations should be based on the "realities of russian achievements."
Moscow's ambassador to the UN, Gennady Gatilov, told reporters on Thursday, November 14, Reuters reports.
"Trump promised to solve the Ukrainian crisis in a single night. Okay, let him try. But we are realistic people and of course we understand that this will never happen. But if he starts or proposes something to start a political process, we will only be happy," Gatilov said.
He also added that any such negotiations must be based on what he called "realities on the ground," describing Ukraine as a country at a disadvantage. Russian troops are advancing into Ukraine at the fastest pace in a year and now control about a fifth of the country's territory.
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy has repeatedly stated that peace cannot be established until all russian troops are expelled and all territory seized by Moscow, including Crimea, is returned.
Gatilov noted that Trump's election opens new opportunities for dialogue with the United States, but expressed doubts about a broader reset of relations, echoing warnings previously expressed by the Kremlin.
"The American political elite, regardless of internal political shifts, (Washington) consistently adheres to the position of containing Moscow, and this orientation, unfortunately, is deeply rooted, and the change of administration does not change much," he said.
As Ukrainian News Agency earlier reported, meanwhile, Europe is making a last call to the administration of Joe Biden, which is being replaced by the administration of the winner of the presidential election, Donald Trump, to strengthen American support for Ukraine in order to strengthen Kyiv's position as much as possible before the end of the presidential term in January.