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Russian Foreign Minister  denied 3-point peace plan and warned against Western peacekeepers in Ukraine

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated on Feb. 18 that Moscow had not seen a three-point peace plan and warned that Russia would not accept the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine.

The alleged plan, reportedly including a ceasefire, elections in Ukraine, and a final peace agreement, was revealed by Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Jacqui Heinrich on X.

Lavrov said at a press conference following U.S.-Russia talks in Saudi Arabia that he had not seen any information or reports regarding the plan.

He also cautioned that Russia would not tolerate the deployment of NATO military personnel in Ukraine after any potential peace agreement. He asserted that even if Western troops operated under EU or national flags rather than NATO’s, it would still pose a "direct threat" to Russia.

Lavrov claimed that Ukraine’s integration into the North Atlantic Alliance represented a direct threat to Russia’s interests and sovereignty. Meanwhile, Kyiv maintained that strong security guarantees were essential for any peace deal, and the deployment of peacekeepers in Ukraine remained a potential option.

Lavrov further intensified his rhetoric against President Volodymyr Zelensky, suggesting that he and his team needed to be "calmed down" following a Ukrainian drone strike on a pumping station in Russia’s Kuban region. He argued that the situation could not continue as it was and that Zelensky and his administration should be reprimanded.

The talks in Saudi Arabia marked the first direct negotiations between the U.S. and Russia since the full-scale invasion began. The Russian delegation, led by Lavrov, met with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and other officials.

On Feb. 18, Zelensky announced that he had postponed his visit to Saudi Arabia amid discussions between Russia and the United States. He reiterated that no decisions regarding Ukraine’s future could be made without Kyiv’s involvement.

Zelensky: Rash end to the war in Ukraine could lead to an Afghan scenario

President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized that no agreements regarding Ukraine can be made without its participation and called on the United States to take a more active role in ending the war, stressing that victory is impossible without U.S. support. He noted that some statements from the United States align with Putin’s interests as the Russian leader seeks a swift resolution. However, Zelenskyy argued that a ceasefire alone cannot be considered an achievement. He also underscored that any ceasefire negotiations must include security guarantees and reaffirmed that Ukraine is unwilling to make territorial concessions.

Peace is not even on the horizon - Ex Foreign Minister of Ukraine expressed his thoughts about possible peace

Ukrainian former Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba stated that peace is not even on the horizon and that the actual game has not yet begun. He noted that while a Ukrainian victory is possible, not enough effort is being made, as key capitals are more focused on ending the war rather than winning it. Kuleba stressed that Ukraine's strategy should be to engage former U.S. President Donald Trump in a long-term approach rather than yielding to his pressure. He pointed out that the United States sees a Minsk-3-style agreement as the most realistic option, though such a deal would not end the war but merely reduce the intensity of hostilities. According to Kuleba, the war is far from over and, in reality, is only at the beginning. Regarding Trump's proposed plan, he suggested that it should be acknowledged, thanked, and kept under consideration.

Kremlin does not oppose Ukraine's willingness to join the EU but NATO is a clear threat to Putin

The Kremlin has stated that Russia does not oppose Ukraine's accession to the European Union but considers its potential NATO membership a "clear threat" to Russia.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov and Putin’s foreign policy advisor Yuri Ushakov met with a U.S. delegation in Saudi Arabia on February 18. The U.S. representatives included Secretary of State Marco Rubio, National Security Adviser Michael Waltz, and Ambassador to the Middle East Steve Witkoff.

Commenting on Kyiv and Brussels officially opening negotiations on Ukraine's EU accession in June 2024, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the process as one of "economic integration" and emphasized that Russia does not intend to interfere in such matters.

However, Peskov clarified that this stance does not extend to Ukraine's involvement in military alliances, as Moscow views Ukraine’s NATO aspirations as a direct threat to Russia’s security. He stressed that Russia's position on security, defense, and military alliances is entirely different and well-known.

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