Russia demands rock-solid assurance that Ukraine will not join NATO: official

According to reports, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko expressed the Kremlin’s strong desire for a firm commitment that Ukraine will not be allowed to join the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) as negotiations led by the Trump administration continue to find a resolution to the conflict.

Grushko emphasized the need for concrete security assurances to be a core part of any agreement, stating to the Russian newspaper Izvestia, as noted by Reuters, “We will demand that ironclad security guarantees become part of this agreement. Part of these guarantees should be the neutral status of Ukraine, the refusal of NATO countries to accept it into the alliance.”

There was no reference made by Grushko to the 30-day cease-fire proposal that Ukraine agreed to during talks with U.S. mediators in Saudi Arabia just last week. Russian President Vladimir Putin has underscored that any potential deal must satisfy certain key requirements before progressing further.

“We can talk about unarmed observers, a civilian mission that would monitor the implementation of individual aspects of this agreement, or guarantee mechanisms,” Grushko added, saying a deal ought to be reached first. “In the meantime, it’s just hot air.”

United Kingdom Prime Minister Keir Starmer held a virtual meeting on Saturday with 26 nations potentially willing to be involved in a “peacekeeping force” in Ukraine, The Telegraph reported. 

French President Emmanuel Macron, meanwhile, was quoted as telling several French media outlets on Saturday that the intention is to “deploy a few thousand men per nation, at key points, to carry out training programs” and “show our support over the long term.” 

“If Ukraine asks allied forces to be on its territory, it is not up to Russia to accept or not,” Macron reportedly said. 

French President Emmanuel Macron attends a videoccall as he takes part in a virtual summit held by Britain’s prime minister and focused on peace and security in Ukraine, at the Elysee Palace in Paris on March 15, 2025.  (KIRAN RIDLEY/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese also said he would be willing to send troops. 

Grushko further argued that a solution to the three-year conflict could only be sustained if European allies to Kyiv understand that Ukraine must be barred from NATO membership and foreign military contingents are kept out. 

“Then the security of Ukraine and the entire region in a broader sense will be ensured, since one of the root causes of the conflict will be eliminated,” Grushko said.