Russia Insists on Equal Security Guarantees for Ukraine in Ongoing Negotiations
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has reiterated Moscow’s stance that it will not accept collective security guarantees for Ukraine negotiated without its involvement. He asserted that Russia would agree to security arrangements only if they include equal participation from major powers such as China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, reports 24brussels.
Western allies, however, have dismissed the notion of Beijing and Moscow having a role in shaping security guarantees for Ukraine. Efforts are underway among these allies to outline a protective framework for Ukraine following any ceasefire or peace agreement, but the inclusion of Russia remains a contentious issue.
In a clear demonstration of the Kremlin’s reluctance to advance towards a resolution regarding its full-scale invasion that began in February 2022, Lavrov highlighted that a potential meeting between President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is still not on the horizon.
During a recent press conference, Lavrov revisited an idea proposed in the Istanbul peace talks in April 2022, calling for a NATO-like coalition of guarantor nations to offer security guarantees to Ukraine. This proposal failed to garner support from the West, primarily due to Moscow’s insistence on a clause requiring unanimous approval from all countries—including Russia—before any guarantees could be enacted.
Lavrov emphasized that discussions on security guarantees without the participation of the Russian Federation are futile, labeling such efforts as “a utopia, a road to nowhere.” Additionally, he criticized EU’s foreign policy approaches, targeting statements made by top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas, which he described as reflective of a decline in effective foreign policy.
In parallel developments, former U.S. President Donald Trump, who has been vocal about his diplomatic engagements with both Putin and Zelenskyy, claimed that Ukraine will receive “Article 5-like” NATO protections. However, he provided no specific details regarding the nature of these protections, later asserting that there would be no American troops deployed in Ukraine.
European leaders remain skeptical of Putin’s commitment to a genuine peace deal, with Lavrov’s recent assertions further fueling this skepticism. The ongoing discord underscores the complexities involved in forging a lasting resolution to the conflict, as both sides continue to navigate their respective interests and demands.
