As the Trump administration attempts to negotiate an agreement to end the war between Russia and Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko allegedly stated that the Kremlin needs an “ironclad” guarantee that Ukraine will not be allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO).
“We will demand that ironclad security guarantees become part of this agreement,” Alexander Grushko asserted. He also added that part of the guarantees should be the neutral status of Ukraine, the refusal of NATO countries to accept it into the alliance.”
The Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko further emphasized that such guarantees should be integral to any peace treaty, showing Russia’s longstanding opposition to NATO’s eastward expansion.
Grushko also restated Russia’s firm stance against the deployment of NATO or NATO-affiliated forces in Ukraine, regardless of the designation under which they might be deployed. He warned that the presence of such contingents would position them as active parties in the conflict, with all associated consequences.
Recall that last week Trump had sent a warning to Putin after his silence in relation to the Russian-Ukraine 30-day ceasefire proposed during the peace talk in Saudi Arabia. The warning entailed a subtle threat aligned to Russia’s economy if they refuse to agree to the proposed 30-day ceasefire.
These demands come as U.S. President Donald Trump plans to discuss a 30-day ceasefire proposal with Russian President Vladimir Putin, aiming to end the three-year war in Ukraine. While Ukraine has accepted the proposal, Putin has stipulated that certain crucial conditions must be met for the ceasefire to be acceptable.
In response to Russia’s position, leaders from the United Kingdom, France, and Australia have expressed willingness to send peacekeeping forces to Ukraine. However, French President Emmanuel Macron emphasized that the decision to deploy such forces rests with Kyiv, not Moscow.
Grushko suggested that discussions could consider the deployment of unarmed observers or a civilian mission to monitor the implementation of specific aspects of any agreement, but only after a peace deal has been established. He dismissed current talks of deploying armed forces as premature.
“We can talk about unarmed observers, a civilian mission that would monitor the implementation of individual aspects of this agreement, or guarantee mechanisms.“ He also suggested that a deal ought to be reached first. If not, “In the meantime, it’s just hot air,” he added.