Russia has warned that attempts to negotiate Ukraine’s future security without Moscow’s involvement are a “road to nowhere.” Speaking on Wednesday, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov criticized Western efforts to design security guarantees for Kyiv, stressing that no durable solution could be reached without Russia at the table. His remarks followed a White House meeting where U.S. President Donald Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy discussed long-term protections for Ukraine with European leaders.
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Lavrov said Russia “cannot agree” to any framework that excludes it from discussions on European and regional security. Addressing a joint press conference with Jordan’s foreign minister, he added that Western leaders were pursuing a path that “will not work.” U.S. officials have already confirmed that military planners are weighing post-conflict guarantees for Ukraine, but Lavrov dismissed the talks as futile if Moscow is sidelined.
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NATO leaders held a virtual conference on Wednesday, with Admiral Giuseppe Cavo Dragone noting that the alliance remains focused on achieving a “just, credible and durable peace.” Meanwhile, Western officials confirmed that further talks on Ukraine’s security continued in Washington. But tensions rose after Poland accused Russia of provocation when a suspected Russian drone crashed in eastern Poland, sparking renewed fears of escalation.
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Lavrov also took aim at European leaders who had joined discussions with Trump and Zelenskyy, accusing them of clumsy and aggressive attempts to sway U.S. policy. He argued that the talks lacked constructive proposals, further underlining Moscow’s demand for direct engagement. Trump, for his part, has said the U.S. will help guarantee Ukraine’s security but ruled out deploying American troops, instead suggesting possible air support.
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Zelenskyy’s chief of staff, Andriy Yermak, announced that Ukraine is already working with its allies on the military aspects of these guarantees. He added that Kyiv is also preparing contingency plans in case Moscow continues to obstruct or prolong negotiations. Lavrov, however, reiterated that Russia is open to “reliable” guarantees based on a draft agreement discussed in Istanbul in 2022, which included potential commitments from all five permanent members of the UN Security Council.
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That draft framework was ultimately rejected by Kyiv, as it would have effectively granted Moscow veto power over international responses to defend Ukraine. Lavrov’s latest comments highlight Moscow’s insistence that it must be recognized as a central player in shaping any post-war security order in Europe—a stance Western governments have so far resisted.
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