Russia has pushed back against one key condition in the proposed ceasefire deal between Ukraine and the U.S., stating that it will not allow foreign peacekeeping troops on Ukrainian soil under any circumstances. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claimed that NATO troops, even under a peacekeeping mission, would be seen as a direct threat to Russia. He also criticized the ongoing negotiations, stating that “nobody is talking to us” and that discussions about the war are happening without Russian input.
This comes after Donald Trump warned that Russia would face “devastating” consequences if it refused to sign a ceasefire agreement. Trump stated that securing a ceasefire is “80 percent of the way” toward ending the war and emphasized that he hopes to avoid taking severe action against Russia. However, he made it clear that the U.S. has the power to impose economic and military repercussions if Russia does not cooperate.
American officials, including Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, have now arrived in Russia to push for a deal. Witkoff recently participated in negotiations with Ukrainian officials in Saudi Arabia, where Ukraine agreed to a potential 30-day ceasefire. The focus is now on whether Russia will accept the proposal or continue military operations despite increasing pressure from the U.S.
With tensions high, it remains unclear whether Trump’s threats will force Russia to back down or further escalate the situation. The Kremlin’s refusal to allow peacekeeping forces suggests that a full diplomatic resolution may still be far off, even as discussions continue.
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