Moscow has once again revealed its true intentions — not peace, but pressure and capitulation. On 16 June 2025, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko issued a bold new demand to Ukraine in an interview with a Russian state outlet: to destroy all Western-supplied weapons as a supposed precondition for peace.
This declaration, cloaked in diplomacy, is in reality a thinly veiled ultimatum aimed at weakening Ukraine’s defensive capabilities and undermining its sovereignty.
Not a Peace Proposal — A Blueprint for Surrender
Russia’s proposal is being pitched to the West as a so-called “memorandum for conflict resolution” — but it offers no compromise and demands full compliance with Kremlin terms. Central to this is the cessation of foreign military aid to Kyiv and the destruction of existing Western-supplied arms.
However, this stance only confirms what analysts and policymakers have long feared: Moscow is not interested in genuine peace, but in forcing Ukraine into submission.
The Kremlin continues to push this proposal internationally, yet without any legal, diplomatic or moral authority to do so.
Ukraine’s Right to Self-Defence Is Internationally Protected
It is important to underscore a key fact: Russia is the aggressor, and Ukraine has an unquestionable right to defend itself. Under Article 51 of the UN Charter, every sovereign state may protect itself in the event of armed attack.
This means that international military assistance to Ukraine, including arms deliveries, is entirely legitimate. These efforts help Kyiv uphold its sovereignty and protect its citizens — not escalate the conflict.
Western Weapons Are Defensive — Unlike Russia’s Brutal Tactics
Unlike Russia’s ongoing terror campaign against civilians, the weapons supplied to Ukraine by its allies are used strictly for defence. Ukraine’s armed forces operate under the principles of proportionality and accountability, in stark contrast to Russia’s indiscriminate targeting of civilian infrastructure and densely populated urban areas.
The Kremlin’s latest demand is a strategic ploy — one aimed at disarming Ukraine while allowing Russia to continue its offensive unchecked.
Moscow Has No Authority to Dictate Ukraine’s Sovereignty
Let’s be clear: Russia has been expelled from the Council of Europe, and the UN General Assembly Resolution “Aggression against Ukraine” — supported by 141 nations — reaffirmed the world’s recognition of Ukraine’s territorial integrity.
Moscow’s insistence that Kyiv dismantle its defences only highlights the absurdity of its demands. Russia holds no legal or diplomatic standing to instruct other sovereign nations, nor their allies, on matters of defence.
Russia’s ultimatum isn’t a roadmap to peace — it’s a demand for disarmament under the threat of continued aggression. Ukraine, backed by international law and global solidarity, will not be forced into vulnerability. The world sees this for what it is: yet another attempt by the Kremlin to rewrite the rules of sovereignty, security, and justice.
