Post by : Rameen Ariff

On Tuesday, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov addressed the ongoing attempts to secure peace in Ukraine. He noted that while Russia had initially welcomed a US peace proposal, it is now awaiting a revised "interim" plan, expected after consultations between the United States, Ukraine, and its European partners.

Lavrov stated that the updated plan must adhere to the "spirit and letter" of the agreements established during the summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and former US President Donald Trump in Alaska in August. The principles for peace outlined by the two leaders, which Lavrov asserts were included in the original plan, are crucial.

Key provisions of the original peace plan included Ukraine abandoning aspirations to join NATO, capping its military at 600,000 personnel, and permitting Russia to manage certain areas within the Donbas, designated as a demilitarized zone. Additionally, Ukraine was to conduct elections within a stipulated 100 days. However, various clauses have been adjusted or delayed since then.

Lavrov cautioned that should the new peace proposal fail to respect the agreements forged in Alaska, Russia would reinterpret the proposal and might choose not to endorse it. He added that Russia is not pressuring the US but looks forward to receiving the revised document soon.

These comments by the Russian foreign minister were made during a news conference in Moscow, alongside expectations of further discussions between Russian and US officials set to occur in Abu Dhabi.

The conflict in Ukraine, which ignited in 2022, has resulted in extensive devastation and significant casualties. Ongoing negotiations attempt to address the contentious terms necessary for a sustainable peace in the area.

In conclusion, Russia is poised to evaluate a new peace initiative that upholds the original agreement between Putin and Trump, asserting that deviations from key conditions could alter Moscow's response.

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