Moscow is demanding reciprocal security guarantees from the United States and its allies as a condition for any potential peace agreement in Ukraine, a senior Russian diplomat stated on Tuesday. The insistence on these guarantees underscores the Kremlin’s determination to address its own security concerns, which it claims have been consistently overlooked in discussions surrounding Ukraine’s future.
“We recognize that a peace agreement in Ukraine must take into account the security interests of Ukraine, but a key factor, of course, is the security interests of Russia,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the Izvestia newspaper. “If you carefully analyze the statements of European Union leaders, you see that no one talks about security guarantees for Russia. Here’s a key element of a peace agreement. Without it, it is impossible to reach an agreement.”
The statement comes as Russian and Ukrainian negotiators have held two rounds of talks with U.S. Representatives in the United Arab Emirates in recent weeks. While no peace agreement has been reached, both sides agreed to the first exchange of prisoners of war in five months during their most recent meeting last week. These discussions, facilitated by the U.S., highlight the ongoing efforts to find a diplomatic resolution to the conflict, now entering its third year.
Security guarantees for Ukraine have been a central point of contention in these negotiations, alongside the extent of Russian control over Ukrainian territory and a post-war reconstruction plan for Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Monday that documents outlining security guarantees for Ukraine are ready, signaling a potential willingness to move forward with formalizing these assurances. However, Russia’s demand for reciprocal guarantees introduces a new layer of complexity to the process.
Grushko outlined specific elements that could be included in these guarantees, echoing longstanding demands from Moscow. These include a prohibition on Ukraine joining NATO, a rejection of any deployment of NATO member state troops on Ukrainian soil as part of an agreement, and an end to what Russia describes as the use of Ukrainian territory to pose “threats” to Russia. These demands reflect Russia’s core security concerns, which have been central to its justification for the invasion of Ukraine.
The insistence on these guarantees is rooted in Russia’s perception that NATO expansion poses an existential threat to its security. In , Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told the Izvestia newspaper that any peace deal with Ukraine must include “security guarantees” that Ukraine would remain neutral and be barred from NATO membership. This position builds on proposals made in draft treaties that sought to restrict NATO membership to its then-29 member states and limit the alliance’s military presence in central and eastern Europe.
The Kremlin’s stance also reflects a broader concern about the increasing military infrastructure of NATO near its borders. Speaking in , Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that the advancement of NATO military infrastructure into Ukraine was “probably among the root causes of the conflict situation that arose.” This perspective underscores Russia’s belief that its actions in Ukraine were, in part, a response to perceived threats from the West.
The demand for security guarantees comes amid ongoing international efforts to mediate a ceasefire and find a lasting solution to the conflict. U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly been involved in peace negotiations, and while Moscow has welcomed these efforts, it remains firm in its insistence on addressing its own security concerns. The U.S. Has not publicly commented on Russia’s specific demands for reciprocal guarantees.
Russia has consistently opposed the idea of a European peacekeeping force in Ukraine, viewing it as a potential pretext for a NATO presence on its border. Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has stated that the presence of troops from any NATO country in Ukraine “in any capacity, under any flag” would be considered a direct threat to Russia. This opposition highlights the deep-seated mistrust between Russia and the West, and the challenges in finding a security arrangement that is acceptable to all parties.
Both sides have agreed to attend a future round of talks, although a date has not yet been set. Zelenskyy has indicated that the next meeting will take place in the United States, potentially providing a neutral venue for further negotiations. However, the path to a lasting peace remains uncertain, with the issue of security guarantees representing a significant obstacle to overcome. The Kremlin’s insistence on addressing its own security concerns suggests that any potential agreement will require a fundamental reassessment of the security architecture in Eastern Europe.
The ongoing conflict has had a devastating impact on Ukraine, causing widespread destruction and displacement. The need for a peaceful resolution is urgent, but achieving a lasting peace will require a willingness from all parties to address the underlying security concerns that have fueled the conflict. The demand for reciprocal security guarantees represents a significant challenge, but also an opportunity to forge a new security framework that can promote stability and prevent future conflicts in the region.
