Russia says Kiev security talks without Moscow are 'road to nowhere'
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says any talks on Ukraine's security that exclude Moscow are futile, urging the West to revisit the 2022 Istanbul draft agreement as a model for lasting peace.
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Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov speaks to the media after a signing ceremony with Jordan's Foreign Minister following their talks at Zinaida Morozova's Mansion in Moscow, Russia, Aug. 20, 2025 (AP)
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned on Wednesday that any attempts to resolve Ukraine's security issues without involving Moscow were a "road to nowhere." His comments come as Western leaders, including US President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, continue discussions on security guarantees for Ukraine without Russian participation.
Speaking alongside Jordan’s foreign minister in Moscow, Lavrov stressed that "seriously discussing security issues without the Russian Federation is a utopia." He insisted that Moscow must be involved in any credible negotiations concerning European and Ukrainian security.
Trump, Zelensky meet European leaders in Washington
Earlier this week, European leaders met with Trump and Zelensky at the White House to explore potential terms for Ukraine’s future security arrangements. Lavrov condemned the meeting, accusing the European delegations of staging “a fairly aggressive escalation of the situation,” and described their efforts to influence the US position as “clumsy” and “unethical.”
Trump stated that the US would help guarantee Ukraine’s security in a future peace deal but ruled out deploying US troops. He noted, however, that Washington may provide air support if necessary to secure a ceasefire.
Moscow reiterates rejection of NATO troop deployment in Ukraine
In parallel with Lavrov’s remarks, the Russian government reaffirmed its categorical opposition to the deployment of NATO forces on Ukrainian territory. Moscow maintains that any such move would further escalate tensions and derail prospects for peace.
Lavrov pointed to the draft agreement discussed between Russia and Ukraine in Istanbul during the early stages of the war in 2022 as a viable model for security guarantees. That proposal envisioned Ukraine adopting a neutral status and abandoning its NATO ambitions in exchange for guarantees from the five permanent members of the UN Security Council: Russia, China, the US, Britain, and France.
The partially agreed draft included provisions for respecting Ukraine’s sovereignty and providing security assistance in the event of aggression. However, the deal stalled after Kiev objected to a clause that would have given Moscow veto power over any military response by guarantor states.
Lavrov described the 2022 draft as “a very good example” of a possible framework, asserting that the West must return to serious dialogue with Moscow if it is truly committed to achieving a lasting resolution.
Read more: Trump touts Ukraine security guarantees at Zelensky, EU leaders summit
