On December 11, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov categorically denied accepting seven main points of the 28-point peace plan proposed by the US. Among them are the ideas for territorial compromises along the line of contact and promises of reliable guarantees for the security of Ukraine. This was reported by the Institute for the Study of War (ISW), which notes that despite Russian statements, the Ukrainian front is not threatened with immediate collapse, reports News.bg.
Lavrov rejected the clauses related to freezing the line of contact in the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, the return of the Zaporozhye NPP under IAEA control, limited conditions for NATO expansion, the deployment of European aircraft in Poland, the provision of security for Ukraine, the confirmation of Ukrainian sovereignty and the adoption of European regulations for the protection of religious minorities.
The Russian diplomat stressed that according to the Russian constitution, Crimea, Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhia and Kherson are “an integral part of Russia”, which, in his opinion, makes territorial concessions impossible. Lavrov also claimed that an understanding had been reached between Russia and the US during their meeting on August 15 in Alaska – in line with the conditions set by Vladimir Putin in June 2024, including the demand that Ukraine withdraw from the unoccupied territories in the four southeastern regions.
Lavrov's position directly contradicts several points of the original plan, including freezing the line of contact in Zaporizhia and Kherson (item 21) and restoring the operation of the Zaporizhia NPP under international control (item 19). He also rejects the clauses on limited non-expansion of NATO, the deployment of European aviation in Poland, and the provision of security to Ukraine.
Russia categorically refuses any guarantees for Ukraine's security, with Lavrov even stating that such measures would be perceived as preparation for a “new attack” against Russia. He emphasizes that Moscow demands that the guarantees be aimed at protecting the Russian side. Additionally, Lavrov threatens that any “peacekeepers” in Ukraine will be considered “legitimate military targets”, which renders most Western security proposals meaningless.
Lavrov insists that Russia's starting point remains the 2021 ultimatums to the US and NATO, which include effectively returning the alliance to its 1997 borders and a ban on deploying forces in new member states. He also rejects the point in the plan affirming Ukrainian sovereignty, repeating Russia's demand that Ukraine be “neutral, non-aligned and non-nuclear”.
In recent weeks, other Kremlin officials, including Vladimir Putin, have also rejected key elements of the 28-point plan. The Kremlin also does not accept the proposal to hold elections 100 days after the signing of the agreement - despite the stated readiness of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to organize elections within 60-90 days.
Moscow continues to intensify its information campaign, claiming that it has taken Siversk and that the Ukrainian front is close to collapse. According to ISW, none of these claims have been proven, and the real situation does not indicate a breakdown of Ukrainian defense. Analysts emphasize that Russian successes are limited to tactical gains.
Meanwhile, Ukraine carried out its first strike on an oil platform in the Caspian Sea and attacked other Russian energy and defense targets on the night of December 10-11. Ukrainian forces have made little progress in the Pokrovsk area, while Russian units have advanced near Siversk.