Russia has told the United Nations that any future ceasefire in Ukraine must include a halt to Western military support for Kyiv. The statement was delivered during a UN Security Council session on Thursday and marks a significant escalation in Moscow’s diplomatic stance as it continues its war in Ukraine.
Russia’s UN Ambassador Vassily Nebenzia asserted that a cessation of hostilities must not serve as a cover for NATO countries to rearm Ukraine. “A ceasefire that only benefits Kyiv militarily will not lead to peace,” Nebenzia said. He insisted that any agreement must include “a clear prohibition on weapons deliveries from Western nations to Ukraine.”
The remarks come as international discussions continue regarding a potential peace framework to end the war, now in its third year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is set to attend a global peace summit in Switzerland next month, which Russia has declined to participate in, calling it biased and unproductive.
Western officials, including those from the United States, the United Kingdom, and France, immediately rejected Russia’s proposal. U.S. Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield said, “Russia has no right to dictate the terms of peace while continuing its brutal assault on Ukrainian sovereignty.” She reaffirmed Washington’s support for Ukraine’s self-defense under the UN Charter.
Similarly, the UK’s representative, Barbara Woodward, said that the provision of defensive weapons to Ukraine is lawful and necessary to help Kyiv defend its territory. She emphasized that Russia’s call for halting arms deliveries is an attempt to weaken Ukraine’s resistance and force capitulation.
Ukraine’s envoy to the UN, Sergiy Kyslytsya, responded by accusing Russia of manipulating peace talks as a strategy to regroup its forces. “Moscow wants a ceasefire not for peace but to replenish its military and continue its aggression,” he stated.
Russia has increasingly used diplomatic channels to push back against growing Western military and financial support for Ukraine. The latest push at the UN follows recent Russian military advances in eastern Ukraine, which some analysts say are aimed at bolstering Moscow’s position ahead of any negotiations.
At the Security Council meeting, France and Germany also underscored that support for Ukraine will continue “as long as necessary.” French Ambassador Nicolas de Rivière stated, “Peace can only be achieved when Russia ends its aggression and withdraws its forces.”
Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General António Guterres reiterated the organization’s call for an immediate cessation of hostilities and a negotiated settlement. He said the humanitarian toll of the war, including civilian deaths and widespread displacement, continues to mount.
The UN estimates that more than 14 million people have been displaced since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022, with thousands of civilian casualties reported.
As tensions remain high, observers note that Russia’s insistence on restricting military aid to Ukraine during a ceasefire may complicate future peace initiatives. Western diplomats warn that any deal perceived as favoring Russia could be unacceptable to Kyiv and undermine the prospects for a lasting resolution.
Source; Reuters
