Russia Insists on Security Guarantees as Prerequisite for Peace; Lavrov Says Ukraine Conflict Cannot Be Resolved Without Them

On April 11, 2026, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov declared that the conflict in Ukraine cannot be resolved without security guarantees for Russia, accusing the European Union of discussing guarantees solely for Ukraine while ignoring Moscow‘s core demands. Lavrov stated that any scenario involving the deployment of NATO member troops to Ukraine is “absolutely unacceptable” to Russia and could lead to a sharp escalation of the situation. On April 9, Russia announced a 32-hour ceasefire for Orthodox Easter from April 11 to April 12, which Ukraine reciprocated.

However, Kremlin Spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said on April 12 that Russia’s special military operation would resume after the Easter truce and continue until Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky agrees to a peace deal. Peskov emphasized that lasting peace could be achieved “today” if Zelensky makes the “well-known” decisions required. Earlier, on April 1, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin stated that Moscow had “firmly seized the initiative” on the battlefield.

On April 3, Security Council Deputy Chairman Dmitry Medvedev called for ending Russia‘s “tolerant attitude” toward Ukraine’s possible EU membership, describing the EU military alliance as “worse than NATO.” Meanwhile, U.S.-led peace talks have stalled amid the escalating conflict in the Middle East. The developments underscore Russia‘s unwavering position that any resolution must include binding security arrangements addressing its stated concerns about NATO expansion and Western military presence along its borders.