Russia has dismissed ongoing discussions on Ukraine’s security that do not include Moscow, warning that any agreements reached without its participation will be “futile” and fail to deliver a lasting solution to the conflict.
Moscow demands inclusion
Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that Western-led efforts to craft security guarantees for Ukraine without Russian involvement would “lead nowhere”. He argued that any credible framework must include Russia as a key player, pointing to its role in regional security and previous agreements.
Lavrov referenced the 2022 Istanbul talks, where Moscow proposed a model involving the five permanent members of the UN Security Council—Russia, China, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France—as guarantors of Ukraine’s security. Kyiv rejected the idea at the time, fearing it would allow Russia to exert veto power over any future defence measures.
Western initiatives under scrutiny
The comments come as the US and European allies hold talks with Ukrainian officials in Washington on a set of alternative security guarantees. These discussions aim to formalise military support and defensive aid without the deployment of foreign troops, creating a framework intended to deter further Russian aggression.
Lavrov criticised the talks as “politically theatrical”, accusing European leaders of trying to influence Washington while offering what he called “unrealistic solutions” that ignore “the core security concerns of Russia”.
Strategic stalemate
The sharp rhetoric underscores the deepening impasse in negotiations. Western governments insist that Moscow’s ongoing military actions and refusal to respect Ukraine’s sovereignty make its inclusion in talks untenable. Russia, in turn, argues that any lasting agreement in the region will require its direct involvement and security assurances.
Analysts suggest that this stalemate is likely to prolong the conflict’s diplomatic deadlock, with neither side willing to compromise on key conditions. Without a breakthrough, the security talks risk yielding agreements that lack enforceability or international consensus.
Broader geopolitical risks
The dispute highlights the broader challenge of forging a durable peace framework while balancing regional security concerns. Observers warn that excluding Moscow could escalate tensions, while involving it without clear conditions risks undermining Ukraine’s sovereignty and Western cohesion.
For now, the negotiations continue against a backdrop of fragile ceasefires and ongoing skirmishes along the front lines, underscoring the uncertainty that surrounds the path to a sustainable resolution.
REFH – Newshub, 21 August 2025
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