Russia seeks long-term Ukraine peace, rejects hasty ceasefire
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In an interview marking three years since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stressed the need for a durable resolution.
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Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov gestures while speaking to the media at a news conference in Moscow, Russia, on Monday, February 10, 2025. (AP)
Russia is pushing for a lasting peace agreement in Ukraine that addresses what it sees as the root causes of the war, rather than a swift US-backed ceasefire that could lead to renewed fighting, a senior Russian diplomat told RIA news agency.
In an interview published Monday marking three years since the start of the war in Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov stressed the need for a durable resolution.
"We can recognize with sufficient confidence the desire of the American side to move towards a quick ceasefire," Ryabkov said, according to RIA.
However, he warned that "a ceasefire without a long-term settlement is the path to a swift resumption of fighting and a resumption of the conflict with even more serious consequences, including consequences for Russian-American relations. We do not want this."
He emphasized that any solution "must necessarily include an element of overcoming the root causes of what has been happening in and around Ukraine."
Lack of clarity on US peace plan
Ryabkov noted that recent Russia-US talks in Riyadh, which aimed to restore bilateral ties and prepare for negotiations on Ukraine, did not clarify former US President Donald Trump’s proposed peace plan for the war.
Reiterating Moscow’s long-standing justification for its actions, Ryabkov said Russia had "no choice" but to launch what it calls a "special military operation" due to NATO’s "unrestrained" expansion eastward. He also accused Kiev of suppressing the rights of Russian-speaking populations.
While Moscow continues to push for what it considers a sustainable peace framework, tensions remain high as the war enters its fourth year with no clear resolution in sight.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is set to visit Turkiye on Monday to hold talks with his Turkish counterpart Hakan Fidan regarding the war and other topics.
Maria Zakharova, Russia's Foreign Ministry spokesperson, confirmed the information to TASS news agency, saying that "a delegation led by Lavrov will shortly be visiting Turkey" to discuss "a wide range of issues."
Turkiye is asserting its role in ending the conflict between Moscow and Kiev as it did in 2022 when it hosted direct negotiations between the two countries. It recently hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Tuesday, with Turkish President Recep Tayyeb Erdogan insisting that Turkiye would be an "ideal host" for these negotiations.
