**Russia Rejects Proposed Peace Deal from Trump’s Team**
The Russian government has expressed dissatisfaction with proposed peace deal proposals on Ukraine from US President–elect Donald Trump’s team. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the plan, which involves delaying Ukraine’s NATO membership by at least 20 years in exchange for Western arms supplies and European peacekeepers, is unacceptable.
Lavrov stated that Moscow sees this proposal as a move to “freeze hostilities along the current line of contact” and transfer responsibility to Europe. He emphasized that Russia rejects the idea of introducing European peacekeepers in Ukraine. The Russian government has received no official signals from Washington regarding these proposals.
**Key Points**
* Russia rejects proposed peace deal proposal from Trump’s team.
* Lavrov calls plan “unacceptable” and says it would “freeze hostilities along the current line of contact.”
* Moscow sees this as a move to transfer responsibility to Europe.
* Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to end the conflict in Ukraine by 2025.
**Other Developments**
* Four facilities housing telecommunication equipment for the illegal operator Phoenix, used by Russian forces, were destroyed in occupied Donetsk Oblast.
* An Azerbaijani plane was rendered “uncontrollable” by electronic warfare while flying over Russia before crashing.
* Poland plans to complete its fortified border wall and close the border with Belarus by next summer.
* Ukraine’s Air Force denies claims of a Ukrainian pilot surrendering to Russian forces.
**War in Ukraine**
* Child casualties in Ukraine have exceeded 2023 totals, highlighting the devastating impact on children.
* Russia has escalated its aerial assault on Ukraine, launching over 280 guided bombs and 370 attack drones.
* US President Joe Biden says Russia’s apology for a deadly plane crash appears to acknowledge Moscow’s responsibility.