Moscow – Sergei Shoigu, Secretary of the Russian Security Council and a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, has urged Western nations to acknowledge Russia’s perceived advantage in the ongoing conflict with Ukraine and pursue negotiations to end the war.
Shoigu’s remarks, reported by Reuters, come as the conflict, now in its third year, shows signs of reaching a critical juncture following Russia’s recent advances and the election of Donald Trump as the United States’ 47th president.
During his campaign, Trump had pledged to bring about peace in Ukraine within 24 hours of taking office, although he did not outline a specific plan. The Kremlin cautiously welcomed Trump’s victory but maintained its view of the U.S. as an adversarial power.
Russian officials have expressed a reserved optimism about Trump’s potential role in mediating a resolution, though it remains uncertain if his campaign promises will translate into immediate action.
Shoigu, who served as Russia’s defense minister for over a decade before his recent appointment to the Security Council, outlined Russia’s view on the geopolitical dynamics of the conflict.
Speaking to security representatives from the Commonwealth of Independent States in Moscow, Shoigu asserted that Western countries initially aimed to use Ukraine to strategically undermine Russia, a strategy he argues has now failed.
He challenged the West to either acknowledge Russia’s position and halt their support for Kyiv or risk prolonging a costly struggle that, he warned, could continue to devastate Ukraine.
Characterizing Ukraine’s leadership as a “terrorist” entity influenced by foreign powers, Shoigu insisted that the current military situation is unfavorable to Kyiv.
He argued that further Western aid would only harm the Ukrainian population by dragging out a conflict that, from Moscow’s perspective, appears to be turning in Russia’s favor.
The Security Council official suggested that Western countries should instead focus on negotiating a peace settlement that aligns with what he called the “new realities” on the ground.
The situation remains complex, however, as Ukrainian officials and Western allies continue to view Russia’s actions as an aggressive bid by Putin to reassert control over former Soviet territories.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has repeatedly appealed for additional Western support, framing the conflict as a fight for national sovereignty and resistance against an expansionist Russia.
According to Reuters, Putin had indicated earlier this year that he would consider a ceasefire based on current front lines but is prepared to press on if Kyiv and its allies reject negotiations.
For Putin, the conflict is framed as a necessary struggle against what he describes as a declining West that has encroached on Russia’s sphere of influence since the end of the Cold War, with Ukraine as the latest flashpoint. This narrative has become central to the Kremlin’s positioning as it seeks to justify continued hostilities.
Conflict in Ukraine’s east has simmered since 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and clashes between Moscow-backed separatists and Ukrainian forces.
The Kremlin’s recent calls for peace talks now raise questions over whether a diplomatic path is indeed feasible, or if the election of Trump will lead to a significant shift in the United States’ policy towards Ukraine.
For now, Russia’s appeal for negotiations signals a potential opening, though Western leaders remain wary of Moscow’s intentions.
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