Russia seeks seat at Ukraine security talks

Moscow says it must be included in talks on Ukraine’s security as discussions about post conflict guarantees gain pace and amid talk of a Putin Zelenskyy meeting.

Russia seeks seat at Ukraine security talks

Moscow has asserted that it must be part of any international talks on Ukraine’s security guarantees. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov called European diplomacy an aggressive escalation and a clumsy effort to sway Trump, adding that discussing security guarantees seriously without Russia is a road to nowhere. He also urged that China join as a guarantor, reviving an idea first floated during Turkey talks in spring 2022. Meanwhile, European leaders have begun mapping post conflict guarantees that would keep European forces off Ukrainian soil, while Kyiv remains skeptical about China’s role in any security framework.

Trump has said he began the arrangements for a meeting between Vladimir Putin and Volodymyr Zelenskyy, but Moscow has shown no rush to set a date and has signaled no clear plan. Several countries have floated possible host sites, including the Vatican, Switzerland and Hungary, but Lavrov cautioned that any contact must be arranged with the utmost care. Analysts note that Moscow is not quietly stepping back; it is signaling that a meeting could occur only under terms favorable to Russia, a stance that complicates Western hopes for swift diplomacy. Reuters reported that Moscow is preparing to raise taxes and cut spending to sustain high defence outlays, underscoring the war’s economic strain.

Russia’s insistence on a seat in talks signals a shift toward a more multipolar approach to Ukraine diplomacy. It reframes the negotiation table as inclusive of Moscow’s terms, potentially diluting Kyiv’s leverage and delaying practical guarantees. The dynamic with Trump adds another layer, giving Washington a new, unpredictable leverage point that could shape what any deal looks like. At the same time, Lavrov’s language shows a Kremlin strategy of tying talks to concrete concessions rather than progress promises. The risk is that diplomacy becomes a protracted contest of ultimatums rather than a path to a durable settlement. Look for how Western partners balance Ukraine’s security needs with Moscow’s demand for a formal say in any framework.

Highlights

Diplomacy remains a delicate balance of pressure, promises, and timing.