Moscow has indicated its willingness to engage in negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, but only if these talks are initiated by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.
According to Russia’s Ambassador to the UN in Geneva, Ghennadi Gatilov, any discussions must align with Russia’s current territorial gains and the situation "on the ground."
Gatilov responded to Trump’s repeated promises to quickly resolve the conflict, calling it unrealistic but welcoming any efforts to start a political process.
Trump, who has often criticized Western support for Ukraine, won the U.S. election on November 5, raising concerns in Kyiv and European capitals about future American involvement.
Despite Trump’s vow to end the war swiftly, Gatilov expressed skepticism, stating that while a political process is welcome, the realities of Russia’s advances cannot be ignored.
Currently, Russian forces control about a fifth of Ukraine’s territory and are making significant progress on the battlefield.
The Russian ambassador also expressed doubt about a major shift in U.S.-Russia relations, citing the deep-rooted stance of the American political elite against Moscow, regardless of who is in the White House.
Gatilov suggested that the main change could be a renewed dialogue between the two countries, which has been absent in recent years.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has maintained that peace can only be achieved if all Russian forces are withdrawn and Ukrainian territory, including Crimea, is returned.
Zelensky has also insisted that Ukraine’s potential NATO membership is non-negotiable, a point strongly opposed by Russia.
The conflict, which began with Russia’s 2022 invasion, remains one of the most significant confrontations between Russia and the West since the Cold War.
