Russia is prepared to work with Donald Trump’s incoming administration to mend relations, provided Washington demonstrates genuine intent to do so, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated on Thursday. However, Moscow insists the onus is on the United States to initiate dialogue, which was severed following the onset of Russia’s military actions in Ukraine.
A deal on the horizon?
Trump, who will be sworn in as U.S. president on 20 January, has promised to end the war in Ukraine, portraying himself as a skilled negotiator capable of brokering peace. His strategy remains unclear, beyond a commitment to bring Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy to the negotiating table.
Trump’s designated Ukraine envoy, retired Lieutenant-General Keith Kellogg, indicated on 18 December that both Moscow and Kyiv were ready for peace talks, suggesting that Trump’s unique position could facilitate a resolution.
“If the signals coming from the new team in Washington to restore dialogue are serious, of course, we will respond,” Lavrov told reporters in Moscow. “But the Americans broke off the dialogue, so they should make the first move,” he added.
A history of strained relations
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine, sparked by Russia’s 2022 invasion, has resulted in tens of thousands of deaths, displaced millions, and caused a seismic rift between Moscow and Western nations. The situation marks the most significant geopolitical standoff since the 1962 Cuban Missile Crisis.
U.S. officials view Russia as a primary national security threat, accusing Moscow of election interference, unjust imprisonment of U.S. citizens, and sabotage campaigns targeting American allies. Conversely, Russian authorities portray the United States as a declining global power that disregards Russian interests, meddles in domestic Russian affairs, and seeks to fracture Russian society.
Peace talks in Ukraine
Putin has reportedly expressed willingness to discuss a ceasefire with Trump but remains firm on key points: no substantial territorial concessions and the necessity for Ukraine to abandon ambitions of joining NATO. Currently, Russia occupies approximately 20% of Ukrainian territory.
Lavrov dismissed the notion of a temporary ceasefire, emphasising the need for a legally binding agreement to ensure long-term security for both Russia and its neighbours. “A truce is a path to nowhere,” Lavrov asserted. “We need final legal agreements that will fix all the conditions for ensuring the security of the Russian Federation and, of course, the legitimate security interests of our neighbours.”
He added that such agreements must be crafted to prevent future violations, underscoring Russia’s desire for a durable resolution.
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Putin’s perspective
Putin has long criticised what he views as the West’s disregard for Russia’s post-Soviet concerns. He argues that Western powers, led by the U.S., have attempted to pull Ukraine into their orbit since 2014, using the nation as a proxy to weaken Russia.
The annexation of Crimea and support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine followed the 2014 Maidan Revolution, which ousted a pro-Russian president in Kyiv. For Moscow, these moves were necessary to counter Western encroachment, but for the West, they signalled an imperial-style land grab that has ultimately strengthened NATO and isolated Russia.
NATO aspirations
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Zelenskiy has reiterated Kyiv’s aspirations to join NATO, describing membership as “achievable” despite significant obstacles. On Sunday, he stated that Ukraine would have to work hard to convince Western allies to support its bid.
The path forward
As Trump prepares to take office, all eyes are on how his administration will approach the complex web of tensions between the U.S., Russia, and Ukraine. While Moscow has signalled readiness for dialogue, the road to repairing ties remains fraught with historical grievances, entrenched geopolitical rivalries, and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.
The ball, as Lavrov asserts, is firmly in Washington’s court. Whether the Trump administration can seize this opportunity and forge a path towards peace remains to be seen.
