Russia Open to Talks with Trump, Praises His Comments on NATO and Ukraine

Russia Open to Talks with Trump, Praises His Comments on NATO and Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov announced on Tuesday that Moscow is open to talks with President-elect Donald Trump. He also praised Trump's comments on NATO's expansion and its role in the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Lavrov specifically highlighted Trump's remarks earlier this month where he stated that NATO's plans to open its doors to Ukraine had contributed to the hostilities. Trump acknowledged Russia's concerns about Ukraine's potential NATO membership and expressed understanding for their perspective.

This sentiment aligns with Moscow's narrative, which portrays its military operation in Ukraine as a response to NATO's eastward expansion and a means to protect Russian-speaking populations. Ukraine and its allies, however, condemn Russia's actions as an unprovoked act of aggression.

Lavrov emphasized that any future peace talks must address Russia's security concerns and encompass a broader European security framework. He stressed the need to eliminate threats on Russia's western borders, which he views as a primary factor in the conflict. Additionally, he expressed openness to discussing security guarantees for Ukraine.

Lavrov also commented on Trump's remarks regarding Greenland, where Trump wouldn't rule out using force or economic pressure to acquire the Danish territory. Lavrov emphasized the importance of respecting the wishes of the Greenlandic people and their right to self-determination.