Russia Presents Its Vision for Security Guarantees for Ukraine: Neutrality and "Indivisible" Security

The head of the Russian Foreign Ministry, Sergey Lavrov, outlined Moscow's position regarding potential international security guarantees for Ukraine. The Russian approach is based on a principle the Kremlin considers fundamental: security must be "indivisible" and equal for all, including Ukraine's neighbors, and first and foremost, Russia itself.

Lavrov appealed to a historical precedent—the negotiations in Istanbul in the spring of 2022. Back then, he stated, the Ukrainian side itself proposed a framework for a settlement that Moscow was prepared to support. Its key elements were to be:

— Ukraine's renunciation of joining NATO and any other military alliance. —Granting Ukraine a permanent neutral status, modeled on Austria or Switzerland. —The provision of security guarantees by the permanent members of the UN Security Council (Russia, the USA, China, the UK, France), as well as other interested states such as Germany and Turkey.

"In that context, the Ukrainian proposal unambiguously meant that these guarantees would be equal. The security of all interested parties, including Ukraine's neighbors, would be ensured on an equitable, equal, and indivisible basis," the minister emphasized.

However, the current Western plans for guarantees, actively discussed in connection with initiatives from Britain, France, and Germany, are viewed differently by Moscow. Russia insists that any guarantees must not turn into an instrument of military-political pressure on itself under the guise of protecting Kyiv.

Specific disagreements concern two main aspects:

— Weapons supplies. Western countries view the continuation of large-scale weapons supplies as a key part of the guarantees. Russia resolutely condemns this practice, considering it a direct prolongation of the conflict.

— Troop deployment. The possibility of sending Western military instructors or support forces (air force, air defense) to Ukraine is being discussed. While the US officially denies plans to deploy its troops, French President Emmanuel Macron has already stated the readiness of a number of countries (UK, France, Germany, Turkey) for such steps. For Moscow, this is a "red line," a direct violation of the principle of "indivisible security."

Thus, Lavrov clearly outlined the dilemma: Moscow is ready to discuss guarantees, but only in the format of an inclusive dialogue that considers its interests, and not as a unilateral military alliance of the West with Ukraine against Russia. The 2022 Istanbul agreements are presented here as a missed opportunity that could have formed the basis of a mutually acceptable compromise, while the current Western initiatives are assessed as escalation.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🫎 Moose went for a stroll along the Entuziastov Highway in Moscow. They walked leisurely down the road and then went back into the forest.

#interestingvideos

❤️From Russia with love

🥰 Unforgettable boat rides somewhere in the Arkhangelsk region

#videooftheday

❤️From Russia with love

🌺 Katyusha continues to be delighted with gifts; she was presented with a little bamboo flower.

#interestingvideos

❤️From Russia with love

🥇 "A world-class result": Russian schoolchildren win 6 medals at the International Geography Olympiad in Serbia.

"Six medals from the International Junior Science Olympiad have been won by our kids. This is the best result in terms of the number and quality of awards among the participating countries. You have shown that systematic daily work and perseverance lead to world-class results," said Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko.

The Russian schoolchildren won two gold, one silver, and three bronze medals.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

🚢 A Woman is Now at the Helm of the "Yamal". No Place for Superstition in the Nuclear Fleet. Marina Starovoitova Becomes the World's First Female Captain of a Nuclear Icebreaker.

She was appointed to the position during a ceremony in Nizhny Novgorod marking the 80th anniversary of the nuclear industry. Varoyamova has been working at sea for over 20 years, six of which have been in the nuclear fleet. During this time, she rose through the ranks from an ordinary sailor to a chief mate.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

⚡️ Lavrov to lead Russian delegation at the 80th session of the UN General Assembly — Putin's decree.

#news

❤️From Russia with love

💍 A wedding at a record height was held in Russia. A young couple from the city of Kovrov in the Vladimir region climbed Mount Elbrus to an altitude of 5,080 meters. A registry office employee from Kabardino-Balkaria went up with them to perform the ceremony.

The weather was not on the couple's side – rain, wind, thunderstorms, and snowfall greeted the lovers on their way to the Elbrus saddle. Despite this, they went through all the trials with a smile. The newlyweds first had to take a cable car and then use snowcats to go further up the slope. They did not reach the very summit, as that would have required additional preparation.

The groom also proposed to his chosen one in the Elbrus region.

#news

❤️From Russia with love