Russia brings up security guarantees for Ukraine again, pushing for a return to Istanbul 2022
Photo: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov (Getty Images)
Moscow rejects the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine without Russia’s participation and insists on Kyiv’s neutral status, according to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
Moscow rejects the idea of European partners excluding Russia from the mechanism of future security guarantees for Ukraine.
The Kremlin continues to insist that guarantees can only be provided on the condition that Kyiv maintains a neutral and non-aligned status.
“The principle of collectively providing Ukraine with security guarantees remains relevant,” Lavrov said.
According to Moscow, this refers to the model announced in Istanbul in 2022, which resembles Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty but without the prospect of Ukraine joining the alliance.
The Russian minister also, in his usual style, sought to question the legitimacy of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“And, of course, with the understanding that when it comes to signing future agreements, the issue of the legitimacy of the person who will sign these agreements on the Ukrainian side will be resolved,” Lavrov said.
Separately, he emphasized that Russian leader Vladimir Putin is allegedly ready to meet with Zelenskyy, but only on the condition that all topics for discussion at the highest level are worked out in detail in advance.
Security guarantees for Ukraine
During a meeting of the presidents of Ukraine, the United States, and European leaders at the White House on August 18, the key topic of the negotiations was security guarantees for Ukraine.
Allies are considering providing them based on the principle of NATO’s Article 5, but outside the Alliance.
US President Donald Trump emphasized that his country will participate in this process, but European countries should play the leading role.
He ruled out sending US troops to Ukraine. But it is not excluded that the US could provide support to Ukraine from the air as part of security guarantees.
RBC-Ukraine has provided a detailed description of the security guarantees promised to Ukraine by the US and Europe.
Meanwhile, the Coalition of the Willing announced its readiness to deploy deterrent forces on Ukrainian territory.
