Russia “has no illusions” about the administration of the next US President Donald Trump, nor about the Republican-majority Congress that will accompany him. On Thursday, the Russian ambassador to the UN in Geneva, however, affirmed that Moscow was open to a dialogue under conditions in the event of an American peace initiative.
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“The West continues to seek unilateral advantages,” Gennady Gatilov told correspondents accredited to the UN in Geneva (ACANU). However, the recent summit of the BRICS countries shows that the group is expanding and that “the countries of the East” and “the countries of the South” are claiming their right to participate in international decisions.
The ambassador asks Westerners to comply with the UN Charter. Where the United States intervened, “the situation has not improved,” he said.
According to Mr. Gatilov, the new American administration “will not do much to change” the relationship with Russia, which it will always try to constrain. The president-elect’s entourage claimed that the Republican had spoken on the phone to his future Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, a statement denied by the Russian presidency. “I don’t know” if a dialogue was held between them, the ambassador simply said.
“Neutralization” of Ukraine
In recent days, Mr. Trump has appointed several officials considered more favorable to Russia, including the next national intelligence director Tulsi Gabbard. The Russian ambassador repeats that Moscow is ready to resume a dialogue based on “mutual respect” and a “balance of interests”.
“We are open,” but “let’s wait and see,” he insists. But he recalls that the previous Trump administration was the one that launched sanctions against Russia and “anti-Russian” legislation.
The ambassador also reiterates that peace in Europe will not be possible without a “neutralization” of Ukraine. This country has the right to be independent if it is “friendly, neutral and demilitarized” in relation to Russia, according to him.
Warning issued for Westerners
And to specify that the question of a Ukraine in the EU must be answered “by the Ukrainians”. On the other hand, “kyiv’s accession to NATO would not be constructive,” according to him.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s peace plan or his “victory plan” are “ultimatums” and will “never” lead to negotiations with Moscow, he also said. Likewise, Mr. Trump will not be able to quickly end the Ukrainian conflict, according to him. This assertion “is not realistic” and “it will never happen,” he added, deeming any mediation “premature” while saying his country is open to evaluating the situation if the United States launches a process.
Mr. Gatilov says Mr. Zelensky will have to start by reversing the decrees that prohibit Ukrainians from negotiating with Russian representatives. He also warns Westerners, especially the United States, against deploying long-range missiles on Ukrainian territory to target Russia. These could not be used without the presence of military personnel and international support in Ukraine, says the ambassador.
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