Russia is ready to negotiate an end to the Ukraine conflict under Donald Trump’s initiative, said Gatilov Gennadiy Mikhailovich, Russia’s envoy to the United Nations in Geneva. He emphasized that any talks must account for Russia’s battlefield advances.
In recent months, Trump has criticized Western aid to Kyiv and claimed he could quickly resolve the Ukraine conflict, though he has not provided specific details on how he would achieve this.
Gatilov expressed skepticism, stating, “Trump has promised to resolve the Ukraine crisis overnight. Let’s be realistic; we know this will never happen.”
Despite his doubts, Gatilov noted that if Trump initiated a political process to end the war or proposed a solution, Moscow would “welcome” the effort.
Trump recently secured 312 electoral votes against Kamala Harris’s 226 in the U.S. presidential election.
Ukraine and its European allies have expressed concerns that Trump’s administration may reconsider U.S. support for Kyiv, potentially impacting the ongoing conflict.
Meanwhile, UK Defense Secretary John Healy reaffirmed that Britain expects the U.S. to remain committed to Ukraine alongside Western allies for as long as necessary.
Gatilov emphasized that Ukraine is currently in a weak position in the conflict and stated that any negotiations must reflect “field realities.”
The war, which began in February 2022, has seen Russia occupy approximately one-fifth of Ukraine’s territory. The conflict remains unresolved, with no immediate end in sight.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has maintained that peace is only possible if Russia withdraws all troops and returns occupied territories, including Crimea, which Russia annexed in 2014.
During a European summit in Budapest, Zelensky warned against concessions to Putin, calling them “unacceptable for Ukraine” and likening them to “suicide” for Europe.
Gatilov acknowledged that Trump’s election could provide an opportunity for renewed dialogue between Moscow and Washington. However, he expressed doubts about any fundamental shifts in U.S.-Russia relations.
Gatilov reiterated that regardless of political changes in the U.S., Washington remains committed to countering Moscow. He noted that while a renewed dialogue might be possible, it is unlikely to bring significant changes in bilateral relations.
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