Moscow: Russia has rejected ongoing Western-led efforts to secure long-term security guarantees for Ukraine, warning that any framework designed without Moscow’s involvement is “a road to nowhere.”
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said on Wednesday that recent talks between Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, U.S. President Donald Trump, and European leaders in Washington were unrealistic and “utopian.” He accused European leaders of making “aggressive and unethical” attempts to influence Washington’s approach toward a peace deal. Moscow instead reiterated support for a model resembling a 2022 draft in Istanbul, which envisioned security guarantees overseen by permanent members of the UN Security Council. Kyiv had rejected that proposal at the time, citing concerns over Russia’s veto power.
Meanwhile, Western governments are pressing ahead with their own discussions. At the Washington summit earlier this week, Zelenskiy joined German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and other European leaders in pushing for stronger security commitments. The United States has ruled out sending ground troops but signaled willingness to provide air support, including missile defense systems and potentially fighter aircraft.
Zelenskiy said a framework for guarantees would be “unpacked” in the coming days, with documentation expected soon. He also pointed to negotiations over a \$90 billion weapons package that could include aircraft and air defense systems, alongside agreements allowing Ukraine to export drones to the U.S. Ukraine’s presidential chief of staff Andriy Yermak confirmed that Ukrainian and allied military teams have already started active planning for the military component of these guarantees.
On the ground, the war showed no sign of easing. Russia launched its largest missile and drone barrage of the month, targeting critical infrastructure and civilian sites across Ukraine. In Kostiantynivka, eastern Ukraine, Russian shelling killed at least three civilians and wounded four more after rockets struck a local market.
Tensions also spilled across borders. Polish authorities reported that a Russian drone crashed in a field near the Ukraine-Belarus border, sparking alarms in Warsaw. Officials condemned the incident as a provocation, adding to fears of NATO being drawn into the conflict.
Despite intensified diplomacy, both sides remain locked in battle. Russia continues to push for recognition of its role in any future settlement, while Ukraine and its Western allies are determined to establish binding guarantees without conceding ground to Moscow. The widening gap between these positions highlights the fragility of current peace efforts as the war grinds into its fourth year.