Russia Warns Against Cutting Ukraine Support

Russia's deputy U.N. ambassador Dmitry Polyanskiy warned that any reduction in support for Ukraine by President-elect Donald Trump's administration would be a 'death sentence' for the Ukrainian army. He accused Ukraine of attempting to provoke NATO into direct conflict with Russia and claimed that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is fearful of Trump's return. Polyanskiy also indicated that Trump is expected to conduct an audit of aid to Ukraine. Trump's potential special envoy for Ukraine, Keith Kellogg, has proposed leveraging reduced military aid to pressure Ukraine into negotiations, with a plan to freeze current front lines. Polyanskiy criticized the Biden administration's support for Ukraine, stating it escalates tensions and risks nuclear conflict. He emphasized that Russia has been open to negotiations, contrasting with Ukraine's and its allies' approach of escalation.