Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko has stated that the Kremlin demands an "ironclad" guarantee prohibiting Ukraine from joining the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as the Trump administration seeks to broker a deal to end the ongoing conflict.
Grushko was quoted by the Russian newspaper Izvestia, as saying, "We will demand that ironclad security guarantees become part of this agreement. Part of these guarantees should include the neutral status of Ukraine and the commitment of NATO countries to refrain from accepting it into the alliance."
Interestingly, Grushko did not mention the 30-day cease-fire proposal, which was accepted by Ukraine in negotiations with U.S. officials in Saudi Arabia the previous week. Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized that any agreement must first meet essential conditions.
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During the interview with Izvestia, Grushko reiterated Russia’s firm opposition to the deployment of European troops to Ukraine, as Britain, France, and Australia have indicated openness to sending a NATO "peacekeeping" force to the region.
"It does not matter under what label NATO contingents were to be deployed on Ukrainian territory: whether under the European Union, NATO, or in a national capacity," Grushko stated, according to Reuters. "If they appear there, it means that they are engaged in the conflict zone, with all the consequences for these contingents as parties to the conflict."
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Grushko added, "We can discuss unarmed observers or a civilian mission tasked with monitoring the execution of specific aspects of this agreement, or guarantee mechanisms, but a deal must be reached first. Until then, it’s just hot air."
On Saturday, United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer convened a virtual meeting with 26 nations that may be interested in participating in a "peacekeeping force" in Ukraine, according to The Telegraph.
French President Emmanuel Macron mentioned in several French media outlets on Saturday that the goal is to "deploy a few thousand men per nation at strategic points to conduct training programs" and to "demonstrate our long-term support."
"If Ukraine requests allied forces to be present on its territory, it is not for Russia to accept or reject," Macron allegedly stated.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also expressed willingness to deploy troops.
Grushko further argued that a sustainable resolution to the three-year conflict can only occur if European allies to Kyiv recognize that Ukraine must be excluded from NATO membership and that foreign military forces must be kept out.
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"Only then will the security of Ukraine and the broader region be secured, as one of the root causes of the conflict will be eliminated," Grushko concluded.
