Lavrov Says Security Framework Must Be Addressed Before Ukraine Ceasefire
Dragon Media News Desk
Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said the parameters of a future regional security framework must be clarified before any ceasefire or temporary truce in Ukraine. He said it was reasonable to discuss the future security arrangements for Ukraine, Russia and the wider region.
Speaking at a joint news conference in Moscow with Collective Security Treaty Organization Secretary General Taalatbek Masadykov, Lavrov said the talks that began in Abu Dhabi were focused, at the proposal of the US mediators, on the parameters of a future security architecture for Ukraine, Russia and the region as a whole. He described the discussion as part of a broader consideration of European security.
Lavrov referred to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen’s reported position that security arrangements should not be discussed until a lasting ceasefire is in place. He said Russia was concerned that such an approach would give the Ukrainian leadership time to replenish its military losses. Russia, he added, would not agree to another ceasefire without clarity about the next steps and the commitments of the parties.
European representatives have also travelled to Abu Dhabi. Lavrov said they could remain at their hotel rather than take part in the formal talks. However, he said Russia would not prevent the United States from speaking with anyone it considered useful to the negotiations.
Lavrov accused European countries of planning to deploy “stabilisation forces” in territory controlled by Ukraine after a ceasefire. He said Russia viewed the proposal as an effort to support the current Ukrainian government and would oppose its implementation.
Russia had pursued deeper integration across the Collective Security Treaty Organization during its 2026 chairmanship, Lavrov said, with the aim of improving the organisation’s effectiveness and international standing. He thanked member states for supporting Russian initiatives during the year.
Lavrov also said Armenia had failed to meet its obligation to make annual contributions to the organisation’s common budget. A draft decision on the matter is due to be considered at an upcoming session of the CSTO Collective Security Council. According to Lavrov, it proposes suspending Armenia’s right to nominate citizens for quota-based positions in the organisation and withholding its voting rights until its arrears are paid in full.
Addressing tensions involving Iran and the United States, Lavrov said he hoped US President Donald Trump’s statement that Washington was no longer considering military options would prove accurate. Russia and China, he said, had consistently called for a peaceful settlement through political and diplomatic means.
Lavrov accused outside actors of playing a destructive role in regional affairs. He claimed Israel was not complying with a provision of what he called the Islamabad Memorandum, which requires non-interference in Lebanon’s internal affairs.
He said any settlement concerning the Strait of Hormuz and the wider Arabian Peninsula should also take account of the situation around the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. The legitimate interests of the Houthis, he added, would need to be considered in the context of the Yemen conflict.
