Konstantin Malofeyev Rejects Trump Peace Proposal

Konstantin Malofeev, a close ally of Vladimir Putin, has stated that Russia is likely to reject any Ukraine ceasefire proposal from U.S. President-elect Donald Trump, arguing that such a truce would benefit Ukraine and the U.S. while providing 'zero benefits' to Russia. He emphasized the need for broader discussions that include global issues beyond Ukraine and outlined several conditions for peace, including Ukraine's constitutional neutrality and a halt to U.S. military support. Malofeev warned that Trump's plan would only be viable if he revoked U.S. authorization for Ukraine to use long-range weapons and removed Ukrainian President Zelensky from office. He also issued a chilling warning about Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons if U.S. support for Ukraine continues, suggesting a catastrophic escalation could occur. Despite his pessimism about a negotiated peace, Malofeev estimated a '50-50' chance for an eventual agreement, reflecting the complexities of the ongoing conflict. His comments underscore the challenges facing the incoming U.S. administration in addressing the Ukraine crisis.