Russia's main condition to end war: Ukraine should destroy all Western weapons

Russia says Ukraine must destroy all Western weapons it has before any peace deal can happen. This was said by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko in an interview with Russian state newspaper Izvestia on June 16. Grushko said all these weapons must be "reduced, disposed of, and guaranteed," but did not explain how exactly, as per reports.

This demand is one of many hard conditions Russia gave to Ukraine in a "peace plan" during talks in Istanbul on June 2. Russia wants Ukraine to agree that Crimea and four other regions, Kherson, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Luhansk, are now part of Russia. They also want all Ukrainian troops to leave these areas and stop fighting, according to the report by Kyiv Independent.

Grushko warned that Western weapons sent to Ukraine are dangerous not just for Russia but also for Europe, saying these weapons might end up in illegal black markets. He called it "crazy" that politicians still send so many weapons. However, there is no real proof that Ukraine has sold or lost these weapons. Independent checks show Ukraine uses the weapons only to defend against Russia’s invasion. This idea of weapons going to black markets is part of Russian propaganda.

Ukraine’s response

Russia’s plan would also stop Ukraine from joining NATO or any other military groups. It would also ban Ukraine’s army from moving its troops and stop all Western help and intelligence sharing. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky rejected Russia’s demands. He said Russia told Ukraine in Istanbul that their "peace memorandum" is really an ultimatum and Ukraine would not agree to it, as per an interview with Valasz Online.

According to the report by Kyiv Independent, Ukraine wants peace too, but their plan focuses on helping people, like swapping prisoners, returning kidnapped children, and keeping the right to join the EU and NATO. Ukraine also wants to use frozen Russian money to rebuild their country and wants any easing of sanctions to happen only after a real, confirmed ceasefire.

Two talks took place in May and June, but nothing important was agreed on. Russia won’t stop fighting unless its demands are met, but Ukraine wants the fighting to stop right away. Even former U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly frustrated with Russia for not compromising but has not added new sanctions against Russia, as stated by Kyiv Independent.

FAQs

Q1. Why does Russia want Ukraine to destroy Western weapons?
Russia says these weapons threaten its security and might end up on illegal black markets.

Q2. Has Ukraine accepted Russia’s peace demands?
No, Ukraine rejected the demands, calling them an ultimatum they cannot accept.