Russia is insisting on assurances that will prevent Ukraine from joining NATO as part of any forthcoming peace agreement, according to a statement from a senior Russian diplomat. Alexander Grushko, the Deputy Foreign Minister, emphasized that these guarantees must include Ukraine’s commitment to a neutral status.
Russian demands for guarantees
In remarks made to the media outlet Izvestia, Grushko stated, “We will demand that ironclad security guarantees become part of this agreement.” He elaborated that a key component of these guarantees is Ukraine’s pledge not to seek NATO membership.
This declaration comes amid ongoing discussions about a potential ceasefire in the protracted conflict in Ukraine, which has been ongoing for three years. U.S. President Donald Trump has indicated he will engage in talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to address this issue further.
Ceasefire discussions and conditions
Speaking aboard Air Force One, Trump mentioned, “A lot of work’s been done over the weekend. We want to see if we can bring that war to an end.” He indicated that various topics would be on the agenda, including land concessions and energy assets. Furthermore, he confirmed that the U.S. and Ukraine are proposing a 30-day ceasefire to Russia.
While President Putin expressed his support for a ceasefire, he outlined several stringent conditions that complicate the path to peace. One significant point of contention is the Russian-held Kursk region, which witnessed a military incursion by Ukraine last August. Putin asserted that Russian forces have regained full control of this area and remarked that Ukrainian troops there have been “isolated.”
Concerns have also been raised regarding the monitoring and enforcement of a ceasefire along the eastern front. In response to the ongoing situation, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Putin of attempting to “sabotage” diplomatic efforts aimed at achieving an immediate ceasefire.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, who recently met with Putin in Moscow, refrained from addressing questions about the status of Russian-occupied territories during a CNN interview. Currently, Russia controls approximately one-fifth of Ukraine. Trump, during his presidential campaign, had vowed to end the conflict, initiated by Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, on “day one” of his administration. Just weeks after taking office, he had a lengthy conversation with Putin to discuss potential negotiations to conclude the war.