Russia Formally Rejects U.S.–European Ukraine Security Guarantees, Calling Plan an 'Axis of War'

Overview

• The Foreign Ministry said the proposal is "extremely far from a peace settlement" and accused backers of pursuing militarization and escalation.
• The five-point guarantees, signed this week by U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner with European leaders, pledge long-term military assistance and outline a Europe-led multinational force after hostilities end.
• Moscow objected to provisions it says would deploy a multinational force, rebuild Ukraine’s armed forces, continue the PURL mechanism, and tie Ukraine’s and NATO’s defense industries closer together.
• Russia reiterated demands for Ukraine’s neutrality, demilitarization and protections for Russian language and culture, warning its aims will be achieved politically or through continued military operations.
• Reporting notes Ukraine considers the guarantees indispensable and potentially longer than a decade, raising the risk that Russia’s rejection could derail the wider deal as tensions escalate over a reported U.S. seizure of a Russian tanker.