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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Moscow must be part of decisions regarding security guarantees for Ukraine, describing it as a “dead end” without Russia’s participation. Speaking to reporters in Moscow on Wednesday, Lavrov indicated that while Russia supports the efforts by the U.K., France, and Germany to develop collective security arrangements, such guarantees will only work if they are truly reliable.
Ukraine’s European allies, with U.S. support, are developing plans for securing the country’s future and deterring Russian aggression. One option under consideration is a collective defense agreement similar to NATO’s Article 5. The key issues in the emerging peace process brokered by U.S. President Donald Trump involve Ukraine’s security and territorial control. However, Russia and Ukraine remain far apart on these matters.
Lavrov referenced the failed 2022 effort in Istanbul to agree on a settlement that would end the war. He noted that Russia had agreed with Ukrainian proposals at that time but the initiative collapsed before it could be signed. Lavrov emphasized that without Russia’s participation, discussions about security guarantees are impractical and would lead nowhere.
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier stated that Moscow cannot accept troops from NATO states on Ukrainian soil as part of a security guarantee, one proposal among those under discussion by Kyiv’s European allies known as the “Coalition of the Willing.”
During a meeting with Trump, Putin reportedly agreed to security guarantees for Ukraine. Trump assured Ukraine and its allies that the U.S. would support these guarantees but would not deploy ground troops. Instead, the U.S. could offer air support.
Kyiv’s aspiration to join NATO was a key factor in Russia’s 2014 invasion of eastern Ukraine and annexation of Crimea. Despite this, Ukraine claims it is an independent nation capable of making its own security decisions.
Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, having earlier invaded eastern Ukraine that year and annexed Crimea. Currently, around one-fifth of Ukrainian territory is under Russian control.
