Putin Rejects Trump's Ukraine Peace Proposal

Russia has firmly rejected U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's proposed peace plan for Ukraine, which includes delaying Ukraine's NATO membership by 20 years and deploying European peacekeepers. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow is 'not satisfied' with these proposals, indicating a growing unwillingness to engage in peace discussions. Analysts note that President Vladimir Putin's refusal to compromise on key demands, such as ensuring Ukraine's permanent neutrality and limiting its military size, complicates the situation further. Lavrov emphasized that until Trump's inauguration, U.S. policy is determined by President Biden, and no official communication has been made directly regarding the proposals. The rejection signifies a need for Trump to develop a new strategy to facilitate negotiations between Kyiv and Moscow. As tensions escalate, NATO's Secretary General has urged increased defense spending among member states in light of the ongoing conflict.