Russia Demands Ukraine Destroy All Western Weapons for Peace

Russia has introduced a new and stringent condition for ending the ongoing war with Ukraine, demanding that Ukraine destroy all Western-supplied weapons on its territory under international supervision. This demand was articulated by Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko and forms part of a broader Russian peace plan that also includes recognizing Russian control over Crimea and other occupied regions, prohibiting Ukraine from joining NATO, and ceasing Ukrainian troop movements in those areas. Ukraine has categorically rejected these demands, citing security concerns and emphasizing its right to self-defense, with President Volodymyr Zelensky denouncing the Russian proposal as an ultimatum rather than a genuine peace offer. Despite Russian claims that Western weapons pose a security threat to Europe and may be diverted to black markets, independent investigations and Ukraine's allies assert that these arms are used solely for defense against the invasion. Recent talks in Istanbul have seen little progress, with Ukraine pushing for humanitarian measures such as prisoner exchanges and seeking further Western support, while Russia continues to reject calls for an unconditional ceasefire. The situation remains tense, with ongoing Russian drone attacks on Kyiv and the surrounding area underscoring the conflict's persistence.