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Key Points

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has declared that any discussions about Ukraine's security without Russia's participation are pointless. He made these comments just days after President Trump hosted meetings with both Ukrainian and European leaders. Lavrov criticized European attempts to influence US policy on Ukraine, calling them clumsy and unconstructive. Meanwhile, NATO military chiefs are convening to discuss potential security guarantees for Ukraine as the conflict continues.

Key Points: Lavrov Says Ukraine Security Talks Without Russia Are Road to Nowhere

  • Lavrov insists Russia must be included in all Ukraine security discussions
  • Warns any Putin-Zelenskyy summit requires meticulous preparation to avoid escalation
  • Accuses European leaders of clumsy attempts to sway US position on Ukraine
  • NATO military chiefs are meeting to discuss potential security guarantees for Kyiv
3 min read

Resolving Ukraine security issues without Moscow is road to nowhere: Russian FM Sergey Lavrov

Russian FM Sergey Lavrov warns that discussing Ukraine's security without Moscow's participation is futile, following Trump's meetings with Zelenskyy and European leaders.

"Seriously discussing security issues without the Russian Federation is a utopia; it's a road to nowhere - Sergey Lavrov"

Moscow, August 20

Russia on Wednesday warned that attempting to resolve security issues relating to Ukraine without the participation of Moscow is a "road to nowhere", two days after European leaders met US President Donald Trump to discuss security guarantees for Kyiv, Al Jazeera reported.

"We cannot agree with the fact that now it is proposed to resolve questions of security, collective security, without the Russian Federation. This will not work," Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said, according to Al Jazeera.

"I am sure that in the West and above all in the United States they understand perfectly well that seriously discussing security issues without the Russian Federation is a utopia; it's a road to nowhere," he added.

Lavrov's comments come after US President Trump on Monday hosted Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy alongside prominent European leaders at the White House, and days after Trump met with Russian President Vladimir Putin. Al Jazeera reported that Trump is trying to steer Putin and Zelenskyy towards a settlement more than three years after Russia invaded its neighbour, though major obstacles remain.

The Russian official said any summit between Putin and Zelenskyy "must be prepared in the most meticulous way" so the meeting does not lead to a "deterioration" of the situation around the conflict, Al Jazeera reported.

Lavrov also accused European leaders of making "clumsy attempts" to change the US president's position on Ukraine. "We have only seen aggressive escalation of the situation and rather clumsy attempts to change the position of the US president," he said, referring to Monday's meeting.

"We did not hear any constructive ideas from the Europeans there," Lavrov added.

Meanwhile, NATO military chiefs are due to meet on Wednesday (local time) to discuss potential security guarantees for Ukraine amid efforts to broker a ceasefire, Al Jazeera reported. The alliance's Military Committee said that 32 defence chiefs from across NATO would hold a video conference, with US General Alexus Grynkewich, who oversees NATO's operations in Europe, also taking part in the talks.

Kyiv's European allies are looking to set up a force that could backstop any peace agreement, and a coalition of 30 countries, including European nations, Japan, and Australia, have signed up to support the initiative. Military chiefs are considering how that security force might work, while the role of the US remains unclear. Trump on Tuesday ruled out sending US troops to help defend Ukraine against Russia.

Russia has repeatedly said that it would not accept NATO troops in Ukraine.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As an Indian watching this conflict, I feel both sides need to come to the table. Military solutions never work long-term. Look at our own history with Pakistan - dialogue is the only way forward, however difficult it may be.
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Aman W
The West keeps expanding NATO eastward despite Russian warnings. Would America accept Chinese military bases in Mexico? There are no innocent parties here - just great power politics at the expense of Ukrainian people. 😔
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Sarah B
While I understand Russia's perspective, invading a sovereign nation is never justified. India has always stood for territorial integrity - remember how we feel about Kashmir. There has to be a better way than military aggression.
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Vikram M
India should learn from this situation. We need to maintain our strategic autonomy and not get dragged into other people's conflicts. Our foreign policy of non-alignment serves us well in these complicated times.
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Nikhil C
The real tragedy is ordinary people suffering while politicians play games. We've seen this in our neighborhood too. Hope they find a diplomatic solution soon - too many lives have been lost already.

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