Russia restates conditions for Ukraine war settlement
Russia on Thursday advanced its conditions to end the 44-month war in Ukraine, maintaining that there’s still no alternative to the ongoing special military operation.
Foreign Affairs spokesperson Maria Zakharova told the United States and other countries contributing to a political and diplomatic resolution that Moscow would not back down.
According to Zakharova, Russia wants “non-aligned and nuclear-free status of Ukraine, its demilitarization and denazification, guarantees of the rights of Russian speakers, and the free operation of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church.”
The diplomat spoke to the press after President Donald Trump’s session with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte at the White House, which took place after the cancellation of the second US-Russia summit.
The Foreign Ministry conveyed its wish for continued contacts with the US Department of State in line with the agreements reached during the October 15 call between Presidents Trump and Vladimir Putin.
Zakharova said Russia intends to further specify the parameters of dialogue regarding various aspects of bilateral relations and joint steps in the context of the Ukraine settlement.
“We hope that Washington will continue to share their thoughts and the reasons for their actions, including public ones,” the diplomat noted.
Zakharova urged countries involved in the peace talks to focus on solutions that will eliminate the root causes of the conflict, ensure reliable peace, and a global system of indivisible security.
On the US Treasury Secretary’s comment regarding restrictions on Russian oil companies Rosneft and Lukoil, the spokesperson cautioned against decisions likely to be “exceptionally counterproductive.”
Zakharova said if the Trump administration follows in the footsteps of its predecessors, “the results will again be destructive for their internal policy and negative for global economic stability.”
She boasted that Russia has developed strong immunity to Western restrictions and would forge ahead with the sustainable development of its economic and energy potential.