Russia: Ukraine security guarantees impossible without Moscow's involvement

Russia has declared that formulating security guarantees for Ukraine without its involvement is impossible, according to Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov. Russian news agencies quoted Peskov as saying that comments from German Chancellor Olaf Scholz indicated Europeans were in a deadlock. He suggested that if Europeans are convinced of their stance, it "rejects the participation of European countries in the settlement process."

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Formulating security guarantees for Ukraine without Russia's participation is impossible.

Scholz had previously highlighted recent Ukrainian military successes, stating they create an opportunity for peace. He asserted that "Ukraine and its partners, not Moscow, will decide how to structure our security guarantees." This coalition plans to establish multinational, European-led, US-backed forces to ensure Ukraine's security post-war.

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If Europeans are truly convinced of this, it rejects the participation of European countries in the settlement process.

Russia has justified its full-scale invasion of Ukraine, launched in February 2022, by citing concerns over NATO's eastward expansion. The Kremlin categorically rejects the deployment of Western troops in Ukraine.

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Ukraine and its partners, not Moscow, will decide how to structure our security guarantees.