Russia’s demands for Ukraine’s neutral status and “demilitarization” are essentially a call for capitulation and aimed at destroying Ukrainian statehood.
This was emphasized by Ukraine’s Permanent Representative to international organizations in Vienna, Yurii Vitrenko, during the OSCE Permanent Council meeting on Thursday.
“Have Russia’s intentions to destroy Ukrainian statehood changed since the talks in Istanbul in 2022? Absolutely not. Do Russia’s demands for Ukraine’s neutrality and so-called demilitarization actually mean capitulation and destruction of Ukraine? Yes, definitely,” Vitrenko said.
He reminded that Russia occupied Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk regions when Ukraine was legally a neutral country.
The diplomat stressed that Russia’s aggressive intentions toward Ukraine remain unchanged. Vladimir Putin’s statement that Ukraine would “last a week” without Western weapons, and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov’s words dismissing Ukraine’s existence under the current government, confirm the Kremlin’s intent to destroy Ukrainian statehood.
The head of the Ukrainian mission to the OSCE underlined that Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine recently, and therefore pressure on Moscow must be increased along with support for Kyiv.
“The increase in Russian attacks must be met with stronger sanctions. Additional air defense systems will save lives amid growing aerial threats. Restricting Russian oil trade will force Moscow to take diplomacy more seriously. Colleagues, this summer could be decisive for our peace efforts—if sufficient pressure is applied on Russia,” Vitrenko said.
He noted that in recent months, Ukraine has repeatedly confirmed its readiness to work toward peace and, after the meeting in Turkey on May 16, already submitted a document reflecting its position to the Russian side.
“We confirm Ukraine’s readiness for a full and unconditional ceasefire and continuation of diplomatic efforts. We expect Russia to stop delaying and present its proposal for consideration, as previously agreed. Diplomacy must be meaningful to bring peace. Peace is not capitulation. Peace must be based on principles of international law, including respect for territorial integrity and human life, not on the aggressor’s ultimatums. Recent Russian attacks prove once again: only our strength can stop this war,” Vitrenko stated.
