Lavrov Warns West: Ukraine Security Talks a ‘Road to Nowhere’/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russia warned that Western efforts to secure Ukraine’s future without its involvement are “a road to nowhere.” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized European lobbying of U.S. President Donald Trump and revived the 2022 Istanbul draft as a model for guarantees. Moscow also rejected any NATO troop deployment in Ukraine.
Russia’s Stance on Ukraine Security Talks: Quick Looks
- Lavrov’s Warning: Security without Russia is “utopia” and “a road to nowhere.”
- Criticism of Europe: Lavrov calls European lobbying of Trump “clumsy” and “unethical.”
- Trump’s Position: U.S. may provide air support, but no ground troops.
- NATO Deployment Rejected: Moscow firmly opposes any NATO troop presence in Ukraine.
- 2022 Draft Accord: Proposed neutrality for Ukraine with security guarantees from UN Security Council members.
- Ukraine’s Objection: Kyiv rejected draft over Russia’s veto power on military aid.
- Moscow’s Demand: West must directly engage Russia on European and Ukrainian security.
- Regional Diplomacy: Lavrov made remarks alongside Jordan’s foreign minister in Moscow.
Deep Look: Russia Rejects Ukraine Security Talks That Exclude Moscow
MOSCOW — Russia issued a stern warning to Western powers on Wednesday, declaring that any attempt to secure Ukraine’s future defense arrangements without Moscow’s direct involvement is “a road to nowhere.” Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, speaking after talks with Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, reinforced Moscow’s long-standing demand that it be included in all discussions over European and Ukrainian security.
“Security Without Russia Is a Utopia”
Lavrov dismissed efforts by Western leaders who met earlier this week with U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy at the White House. At that meeting, officials discussed possible security guarantees for Ukraine as part of a deal to end the war, now entering its fourth year.
“We cannot agree with the fact that now it is proposed to resolve questions of security, collective security, without the Russian Federation. This will not work,” Lavrov said. He stressed that the West “perfectly understands” that serious discussions excluding Russia are unrealistic.
Reviving the 2022 Istanbul Draft
Lavrov argued that the Istanbul draft proposals from 2022 — negotiated in the war’s early weeks — remain the best model for Ukraine’s security future. That framework envisioned Ukraine as a neutral state, abandoning its bid to join NATO, while receiving security guarantees from several nations, including the five permanent members of the U.N. Security Council (China, Russia, the U.S., Britain, and France).
The draft called on guarantor states to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty and refrain from force. In return, they would pledge to defend Ukraine if attacked, potentially closing airspace and providing weapons. However, Moscow insisted on veto power over any such military response, a condition Kyiv found unacceptable.
Ukraine argued that giving Russia such a role would undermine genuine protection and allow Moscow to paralyze any defense effort.
Moscow Rejects NATO Involvement
Lavrov reiterated Moscow’s categorical opposition to any NATO troop deployment in Ukraine, calling such scenarios unacceptable and provocative. The Kremlin has consistently claimed that NATO’s eastward expansion threatens Russian security — one of the justifications Moscow used for launching its invasion in 2022.
Criticism of European Lobbying
The Russian foreign minister sharply criticized European leaders who pressed Trump to strengthen Ukraine’s security. He described their actions as “clumsy, unethical, and an aggressive escalation” aimed at shifting U.S. policy.
“We did not hear any constructive ideas from the Europeans,” Lavrov said, dismissing the talks as posturing rather than diplomacy.
Trump’s Position: Security Guarantees, Not Boots on the Ground
Following his White House meeting with Zelenskiy, Trump said the United States would support security guarantees for Ukraine but ruled out deploying U.S. ground troops. He left open the possibility of air support as part of a potential peace arrangement.
This stance reflects Trump’s repeated reluctance to commit U.S. forces directly to Ukraine, even while endorsing steps to end hostilities.
Russia’s Core Demand
At the heart of Lavrov’s message was Russia’s insistence that no European or Ukrainian security arrangement is legitimate without Moscow’s consent. The Kremlin sees itself as an indispensable power broker whose exclusion delegitimizes any Western proposals.
By pointing back to the Istanbul talks, Russia signaled that it expects future negotiations to return to a framework where Ukraine’s neutrality and Russia’s veto over military guarantees are central elements.
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