Russia issues statement as Trump threatens ‘devastating' punishment if they don't agree to new deal
Russia has finally answered to peace discussions held between the US and Ukraine earlier this week. Ukraine has fought against Russia since February 2022 after their neighbor invaded Ukrainian territory. After three years of fighting, America hopes to help end the war. US and Ukrainian officials gathered in Saudi Arabia to plan a ceasefire with Russia. The talks reportedly lasted eight hours.
The discussions appeared successful – much better than Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Donald Trump's meeting at the White House last month. Both countries issued a statement afterward outlining plans for Russia to sign a 30-day ceasefire, with Trump later stating there would be "devastating" results for Russia if they refused.
"We could do things very bad for Russia," he told reporters. "Would be devastating for Russia. But I don't want to do that because I want to see peace."
America agreed to restart military aid and security help to Ukraine. They haven't made final decisions on the raw minerals agreement yet.
While Ukraine and the US communicate frequently, Russia claims it has been excluded from these conversations. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said in an interview with pro-Kremlin US bloggers: "Nobody is talking to us. They keep saying, 'nothing about Ukraine without Ukraine,' but they do everything about Russia without Russia."
He also stated that Russia won't sign any agreements that could risk Russian lives. Lavrov stressed Russia will not allow NATO troops in Ukraine "under any conditions." Ukraine has tried to join the treaty for many years, but Russia wants to block these efforts and ban foreign troops from entering Ukraine as part of any peace deal, according to Reuters.
Vladimir Putin reportedly wants international recognition of Russia's claim on Crimea (previously part of the Soviet Union).
Many sources report Russia gave these requirements in a list of demands recently presented to the US - contradicting Lavrov's statement that the country hasn't been included in any talks about America and Ukraine's strategies. Russia made comparable requests during discussions with the Biden administration in 2021 and 2022. These meetings failed, and Russia went ahead with its Ukraine invasion in February 2022. Considering these facts, Putin's willingness to agree to a potential ceasefire remains unclear.
