Russia demands Ukraine dispose of Western weapons and threatens consequences

Ukraine must dispose of all weapons provided by Western partners. This condition is needed by Russia for a ceasefire.

This statement was made by Russian deputy foreign minister Alexander Grushko in an interview with Izvestia.

“All these surpluses must be destroyed. All international algorithms are known. They (the weapons – ed.) must be reduced, disposed of, and guaranteed,” Grushko said.

He cynically claimed that the Western weapons provided to Ukraine pose a threat not only to Russia’s security but also to Western countries. Grushko cited a manipulative example of Afghanistan, where Stinger anti-aircraft missile systems supplied to the mujahideen later had to be “brought under control.”

“Even taking this experience into account, the degree of recklessness shown by those political figures who continue to flood the market with weapons is astonishing. They are fully aware that black markets are literally overflowing with arms, which, as a result of corrupt schemes, are flowing across various parts of the globe — including Europe,” said Grushko.

The cessation of arms supplies and foreign military aid to Kyiv is part of Russia’s so-called memorandum for settling the military conflict in Ukraine. Russian dictator Vladimir Putin has emphasized that this condition is necessary for a ceasefire.

Among other demands made by Russia to Ukraine are:

- Setting a cap on the number of personnel in the Armed Forces of Ukraine, along with limits on weapons and military equipment; disbanding "nationalist formations" within the Ukrainian Armed Forces and the National Guard;

- Recognizing Russia's annexation of Crimea, as well as the Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, and Kherson regions, and withdrawing Ukrainian troops from these territories;

- Rejecting membership in military alliances or coalitions, and enacting a ban on the deployment of foreign troops, military bases, and infrastructure on Ukrainian soil;

- Confirming Ukraine's status as a non-nuclear state, and establishing a prohibition on the acceptance, transit, or deployment of nuclear weapons;

- Ensuring full rights, freedoms, and interests for the Russian and Russian-speaking population, and granting Russian the status of an official language;

- Lifting all current sanctions imposed on Russia.