Ukraine to reject any peace deal that weakens its position, says Ukraine’s Foreign Minister
Photo: Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha (Vitalii Nosach, RBC-Ukraine)
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha stated that Russia continues to push new demands for a potential peace deal, aiming to leave Ukraine defenseless. However, he emphasized that Kyiv would never accept anything that would weaken the country.
"Russian demands and ultimatums have remained unchanged over the years. Russia wants to limit Ukraine’s army, defense capabilities, and military assistance from partners and block Ukraine’s accession to NATO," Sybiha said.
According to the minister, Russia’s rhetoric reveals its true intentions. All these demands share a common goal: Moscow wants a weak, defenseless Ukraine.
However, the foreign minister is convinced that this is not just about NATO or so-called "security concerns." In reality, Russia’s ambitions go much further.
"This is about Russia’s ability to destroy the Ukrainian state at a later stage, occupy its territories, seize its mineral resources, and use its human and other potential for further aggression. There must be no illusions about this," the minister emphasized.
He noted that Moscow’s rhetoric has escalated to the 2022 level. Russia is trying to take advantage of the current geopolitical situation as the US seeks a swift resolution to the war in Ukraine.
"We can see this Russian strategy and will never accept anything that leaves Ukraine weak or defenseless. To the contrary, a real and fair peace requires strong and long-term security guarantees to preserve it," Sybiha stressed.
Putin’s demands
Russian leader Vladimir Putin, in a conversation with US President Donald Trump, agreed to a 30-day moratorium on strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. However, he rejected the US proposal for a full ceasefire over the same period, according to Kremlin statements.
Instead, Putin outlined conditions under which hostilities could be halted. He demands an end to Ukraine’s mobilization, as well as a halt to military aid and intelligence sharing with Kyiv.
Following a recent meeting with US representatives in Saudi Arabia, Russia issued a final statement outlining its conditions for a maritime ceasefire with Ukraine. The Kremlin stressed that such an agreement would only take effect if sanctions were lifted from certain Russian companies and a Russian bank.
As for a potential peace agreement in the war with Ukraine, Russia has not backed down from any of its demands. These include ending Western support for Ukraine, a veto on NATO membership, a ban on Western troop deployments, territorial concessions, and restrictions on the size and capabilities of Ukraine’s military.
