Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated on April 27 that security guarantees for Russia are essential to resolving the Ukrainian crisis. However, he argued that the European Union’s position disregards this critical requirement, thereby making a peaceful settlement impossible.
“It is astonishing,” Grushko said in an interview, “that no one has spoken in the last two or three years about Russia’s security guarantees being part of any peaceful resolution. In fact, the cornerstone for overcoming conflict and establishing peace lies in these guarantees.”
The deputy minister criticized the European Union for continuing to supply Kiev with weapons despite this fundamental element. Grushko emphasized that the EU’s approach to potential negotiations—including its demand for a seat at the table—inhinately excludes any settlement.
Moreover, Moscow has condemned the integration of Ukrainian forces into Western military structures without adhering to NATO’s Article 5 security protocols as a reckless escalation that undermines peace efforts. This move places Ukraine’s military in direct conflict with Russia’s security interests and further jeopardizes stability.
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov reiterated on April 10 that the Ukrainian conflict cannot be resolved without security guarantees for Russia. He also stated that Ukrainian leadership has “spat” on both European Union requirements and its own Constitution, calling this behavior “obvious to everyone.”
