Putin ally says Russia will reject Trump’s Ukraine truce proposal

Konstantin Malofeev, a conservative Russian tycoon and close Kremlin ally, has suggested Moscow would likely reject any Ukraine ceasefire proposal put forward by U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. 

In an interview with Financial Times Malofeev argued that Trump’s plan, spearheaded by his recently nominated special envoy Keith Kellogg, would likely face outright rejection. “Kellogg comes to Moscow with his plan, we take it and then tell him to screw himself because we don’t like any of it,” he stated.

Konstantin Malofeev also told Bloomberg News that Russia is focused on securing further concessions, including a legally binding neutral status for Kyiv.

Despite Trump’s assertion that he could end the war within 24 hours, Malofeev estimated only a “50-50” chance of reaching an agreement. He emphasized that Moscow perceives a truce as providing “zero benefits” to Russia while favoring Ukraine and the U.S., given what he described as Russia’s perceived military success in Ukraine’s eastern regions.

“It’s important that the future U.S. administration understands that a truce is not a gift that Russia is waiting for,” Malofeev said during an interview in Dubai. “A truce right now is good for Ukraine and for the U.S., but for us, it brings zero benefits—because we’re winning.”

Malofeyev, speaking from a luxury resort in Dubai, dismissed Trump’s pledge to end the war in 24 hours as unrealistic without addressing Russia’s core demands. These include Ukraine’s constitutional neutrality, withdrawal from NATO ambitions, and a rollback of Western military support. He further emphasized that peace talks must encompass discussions about the “future of Europe and the world,” going beyond Ukraine’s borders.

These demands echo statements by Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, who recently reiterated the need for Ukraine to disarm, adopt neutrality, and recognize the new “political-territorial realities.” Putin, meanwhile, has escalated his rhetoric, threatening to target “decision-making centers” in Kyiv with new ballistic missiles in response to attacks on Russian territory.

A vision beyond Ukraine

Malofeev’s proposals extend beyond Putin’s publicly stated demands, which include Ukraine ceding four occupied regions and renouncing NATO membership. He envisions a broader restructuring of the global order, with the U.S. acknowledging Ukraine as a core Russian interest and engaging in dialogue on global flashpoints like the Middle East and Russia-China relations.

Although Malofeyev holds no official government role, his views often signal shifts in Kremlin policy. A devout Orthodox Christian, he has been a prominent backer of pro-Kremlin causes through his media ventures, including Tsargrad TV.

With tensions escalating and no immediate resolution in sight, Malofeev’s hardline rhetoric underscores the challenges facing Trump’s promise of a swift end to the war.