Russia’s Rhetoric Mirrors Pre-Invasion Intensity of Early 2022, Ukrainian FM Says

Russia continues to push the same demands it has for years: to weaken Ukraine’s military, diminish its defensive capabilities, restrict Western military aid, and prevent its accession to NATO.

This statement was made by Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha on March 30.

“This is not about NATO or ‘security concerns.’ This is about Russia’s ability to destroy the Ukrainian state at a later stage, occupy its territories, seize its mineral resources, and use its human and other potential for further aggression. There must be no illusions about this, “ Sybiha wrote on X.

Sybiha noted that Moscow’s rhetoric has returned to the intensity seen in early 2022, preceding the full-scale invasion.

“We can see this Russian strategy and will never accept anything that leaves Ukraine weak or defenseless. To the contrary, a real and fair peace requires strong and long-term security guarantees to preserve it,” Sybiha added.

On March 30, Finnish President Alexander Stubb stated that the United States is preparing a new sanctions package against Russia in case Moscow refuses a ceasefire or violates any agreement.

At the same time, Stubb proposed April 20 as the date for a complete ceasefire in Ukraine during a recent visit to the United States, where he discussed the matter with US President Donald Trump.