Ryabkov points to zero chances for compromise between Russia and Ukraine

At the moment of the conflict in Ukraine, the chances of a compromise between Moscow and Kiev are zero. This was stated by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in an interview with CNN on Wednesday, December 4.

"The chances for a compromise at the moment are zero. At the moment when people in Kiev begin to realize that Russia will never go along with what they have proposed, new opportunities may be opened," he said.

The Russian diplomat noted that there is no simple solution to the conflict, accusing the West of inadequately assessing Russia's determination to retaliate and the risk of escalation. He emphasized the dependence of the situation on US decisions and Washington's mistaken belief in the possibility of long-term pressure on Russia.

Ryabkov said Russia will use increasingly powerful military means in the conflict if Kiev's Western allies do not stop providing support. He emphasized the high and rising tensions, comparing them to the Cold War period.

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Earlier in the day, Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov told Izvestia that there were no grounds for negotiations between Russia and Ukraine at the moment.

The day before, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said that Kiev considered NATO membership to be the only possible security guarantee for the country. The Kremlin official emphasized that Ukraine's joining the alliance was unacceptable for Russia because it was a threat. In his turn, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte pointed out that the bloc was not discussing Kiev's invitation and was negotiating only on arms deliveries.

Before that, on November 29, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, whose term of office expired on May 20, said in an interview with the British TV channel Sky News that he might agree to a ceasefire and give up some territories in exchange for Ukraine's membership in NATO. He said NATO membership should be offered to Kiev-controlled parts of the country to end the "hot phase", provided that the NATO invitation itself recognizes Ukraine's internationally recognized borders.

Ukraine applied for fast-track NATO membership on September 30, 2022. At that time, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy (his term expired on May 20) said that in fact the country was already in the alliance and met its standards.