Lavrov: Ukraine Must Stay Neutral, Non-NATO, with Global Security Assurances

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated in an interview that Ukraine’s security should be guaranteed by a coalition of nations, including members of the United Nations Security Council. He emphasised that these guarantees should be part of a broader agreement to ensure Ukraine’s neutrality.
Lavrov noted that President Vladimir Putin had previously discussed the idea of security guarantees for Ukraine with former U.S. President Donald Trump. He also referred to the talks held in Istanbul in 2022, where a proposal was discussed involving Ukraine adopting a neutral stance in exchange for international security guarantees from permanent members of the U.N. Security Council, along with other countries.
According to Lavrov, the group of guarantors could include not only the five permanent members of the Security Council—China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States—but also other nations such as Germany and Turkey. He stated that these countries would be responsible for ensuring Ukraine remains neutral, not aligned with any military alliance, and free of nuclear weapons.
Lavrov reiterated that Russia firmly opposes Ukraine joining NATO, wants assurances for the rights of Russian-speaking populations within Ukraine, and insists that territorial matters remain a topic for negotiation.