Lavrov claims Russia recognised "different Ukraine" in 1990 that was meant to be neutral

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has claimed that Ukraine must be a non-aligned, neutral and non-nuclear state, asserting that only on this basis did Russia agree to recognise Ukraine's independence in 1990.

Source: Lavrov at a roundtable event with ambassadors on 11 December, as reported by RIA Novosti, a Kremlin-aligned Russian news outlet

Quote: "Before Alaska [the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Russia's ruler Vladimir Putin in Anchorage, Alaska, in August 2025 – ed.], Trump's envoy Steve Witkoff also visited Moscow and also brought a proposal that formed the basis of the Anchorage understandings. The essence of these understandings is that Ukraine must return to the non-aligned, neutral and non-nuclear foundations of its statehood."

Details: According to Lavrov, these principles – non-alignment, neutrality and non-nuclear status – were set out in the Declaration of State Sovereignty of Ukraine dated 16 July 1990.

"And it was on the basis of the principles declared in this document that we recognised Ukraine's independence. Therefore, when they now say: 'You know, we can't do anything because our Constitution sets the goal of joining the North Atlantic Alliance', well, we recognised a different Ukraine," Lavrov stated.

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