Russia rejects key points of the US peace plan: what it means for negotiations.

According to ТСН: The Russian authorities previously rejected the main provisions of the 28-point US peace plan and are now preparing the groundwork to reject possible Ukrainian and European initiatives. This conclusion was reached by analysts from the Institute for the Study of War (ISW).

Rejection of the peace plan

Assistant to the President of Russia Yuri Ushakov told journalist Pavel Zarubin during a conversation that the RF's position is defined "very clearly" and Moscow will express "serious objections" if changes are made to the peace plan by Ukraine and European countries.

He also noted that Russia is not ready to agree to points related to "territorial issues", including discussions about a demilitarized "buffer" zone in Donbas.

Guarantees for the implementation of peace agreements

Commenting on the possibility of Ukraine refusing to fulfill the peace agreements, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that Russia will insist on obtaining guarantees and creating a mechanism for implementing any agreement. He also noted that the Kremlin does not intend to consider the European position on peaceful settlement.

The situation with the US peace plan

Meanwhile, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov refused to support seven points of the peace plan proposed by the US, which concern territorial exchanges and security guarantees for Ukraine. Earlier, Peskov noted that Russia aims to work for "peace", but is "not interested" in a "ceasefire" with Ukraine, considering it a "deception".

Additionally, the Kremlin spokesperson threatened Kyiv with a refusal for a "break" in case of attempts to hold a referendum on territorial issues.

Negotiations in Berlin

It is worth noting that on December 14, Ukrainian and American delegations held five-hour negotiations in Berlin regarding the US peace plan. The meeting involved Zelensky, US Presidential Special Envoy Steve Vitkoff, and President Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner. The meeting will continue on December 15.

Vitkoff noted "significant progress" and reported that representatives of both countries held "in-depth discussions on the 20-point peace plan" and the economic agenda.

These events indicate a complicated situation surrounding the peace negotiations, where Russia's positions remain rigid and uncompromising. Before moving forward, Ukraine and the US need to assess the Russian side's reaction to new initiatives in order to avoid confrontations and find pathways to genuine peaceful resolution.