Russia Open to Civilian Missions in Ukraine as Part of Potential Peace Deal

Russia is open to allowing unarmed observers and civilian missions in Ukraine as part of a potential peace agreement, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said on March 16, according to state news agency TASS.

“A peace treaty may provide for unarmed observers in Ukraine, a civilian mission to monitor the implementation of certain aspects of the agreement, or guarantee mechanisms,” Grushko said.

He also emphasized that any settlement would require an “external contour.”

“When it comes to a peaceful resolution of the conflict in Ukraine, it will, of course, have an external framework. We will demand that ironclad security guarantees be part of this agreement,” he said.

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War in Ukraine

What Security Guarantees Is Ukraine Seeking?

Mar 07, 2025 18:21

Grushko reiterated that Russia considers Ukraine’s neutrality and non-membership in NATO essential conditions for any agreement. Ukraine, however, has stressed that strong security guarantees are crucial for any peace deal, with the deployment of international peacekeeping forces being one possible option.

The UK, France, and several other European countries have signaled their readiness to deploy peacekeeping forces to Ukraine as part of potential security arrangements. Military representatives from more than 30 countries met in Paris on March 11 to discuss the establishment of international security forces for Ukraine. The initiative aims to deter potential Russian aggression in the event of a ceasefire.