Russia says it will not consider any peace agreement with Ukraine unless “security guarantees” for itself are codified. The Kremlin argues its interests are being ignored in the peace process and warns talks will be fruitless without concessions.
Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko made the comments in an interview with the Russian outlet Izvestia.
Among Moscow’s key demands: Ukraine must renounce its NATO membership ambitions, ban the deployment of foreign military contingents on its territory, and accept broader commitments that, in Russia’s view, would prevent Ukraine from being used as a tool to pressure Moscow.
At the same time, Grushko said Russia is ostensibly ready to support “security guarantees” for Ukraine that were discussed during talks with Kyiv in 2022. Back then, the proposal envisioned involving the UN Security Council’s permanent members, with the circle of participants potentially expanded.
Grushko also criticized the European Union’s push to take part in peace talks, adding that without a willingness to discuss “security guarantees” for Russia, Europe cannot claim a significant role in the process.
He said the United States holds a similar position. Moscow contends Washington is not raising the issue of “security guarantees” for Russia despite previous Kremlin proposals to launch consultations. As a possible basis, Russia again points to its 2021 draft treaties, which sought a legally binding halt to NATO’s eastward expansion, including to Ukraine.
Russia is not ruling out that the “security guarantees” issue could be put on the agenda of the next round of peace talks, potentially in Abu Dhabi.
“If the Russian side receives a mandate to discuss these issues, especially if the negotiating group is possibly expanded, then such discussions can begin,” he said.
Russian authorities have increasingly signaled they are not considering compromise options to end the war and are insisting on outcomes favorable to the Kremlin. Moscow continues to reject Western “security guarantees” and is betting on continued fighting.
Separately, the Russian state media outlet TASS reported that Kyiv allegedly raised security guarantees for Odesa during trilateral talks involving Ukraine, Russia and the United States in Abu Dhabi.
