Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has effectively rejected the main provisions of the initial “peace plan” proposed by the United States.
Modern.az reports that the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) stated this in its report.
According to ISW's analysis, Lavrov disagreed with several key proposals regarding Ukraine. He opposed the freezing of the current contact line in Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions, the removal of the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant from Russian control and its transfer to IAEA administration, as well as the provision of real and long-term security guarantees to Ukraine.
Lavrov also did not accept provisions that envisage the affirmation of Ukraine's sovereignty.
The minister also hardened his stance on NATO. He stated that merely stopping the alliance's expansion is not enough, and NATO must return to its pre-1997 borders.
Lavrov also rejected the idea of Europe deploying fighter jets in Poland. Furthermore, he opposed the adoption of the European Union's norms regarding the protection of religious minorities as a basis for Ukrainian legislation.
ISW notes that Lavrov once again brought up Russia's ultimatums presented to the US and NATO in December 2021 as “security guarantees”. These demands effectively envisage the weakening of NATO's current structure. Specifically, they call for a ban on the deployment of NATO forces and weapons in countries that joined the alliance after 1997.
The report emphasizes that Lavrov, citing the Russian constitution, stated that Crimea, Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions are an “integral part of Russia” and that Moscow cannot renounce these territories.
According to ISW's assessment, Lavrov's statements on December 11 indicate that the Kremlin does not intend to accept the initial 28-point peace plan. On the contrary, Moscow intends to put forward additional conditions even if Ukraine accepts the plan. Analysts state that in recent weeks, high-ranking officials close to the Kremlin, including Russian President Vladimir Putin, have similarly rejected the main points of the plan.
The report adds that the Kremlin also does not view positively the idea of holding elections in Ukraine within 100 days after an agreement. Statements by deputies in the State Duma also clearly demonstrate Russia's general lack of interest in peace agreements.
