‘All These Weapons Must Be Destroyed’: Russia Demands Ukraine Give Up Western Arms, Slams ‘Reckless’ Aid

Russia is demanding that Ukraine surrender all Western-supplied weapons as part of a ceasefire deal, Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko said in an interview published Monday.

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the United States and European countries have supplied Ukraine with billions in military and humanitarian aid. According to the Kiel Institute, EU members have provided about €137 billion ($159 billion), while the US has given €114 billion ($132 billion).

“All these weapons must be destroyed,” Grushko told the Russian newspaper Izvestia. “There are international procedures for this – they should be reduced, disposed of, and placed under control.”

Grushko claimed that Western arms sent to Ukraine pose a long-term threat not only to Russia but also to the West. He compared the situation to the US supply of Stinger missiles to Afghan fighters in the 1980s, which were later circulated on global black markets.

“Despite that history, it’s shocking how reckless some politicians are today,” Grushko said. “They keep flooding the market with weapons, knowing corruption will spread them around the world – including back into Europe.”

Russia’s demands are part of a broader ceasefire proposal laid out in a government memorandum. Russian strongman Vladimir Putin has said halting all arms deliveries to Ukraine is a precondition for peace.

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In addition to ending foreign military aid, Russia demands that Ukraine limit the size of its armed forces and weapons stockpiles, and disband what the Kremlin calls “nationalist formations” within its military and National Guard.

Russia says Kyiv must also recognize Russia’s annexation of Crimea as well as its claims over four additional partially occupied regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – and withdraw troops from those areas.

Moscow also says it requires Ukraine to refuse joining any military alliances or hosting foreign troops and bases on its soil.

Additionally, the Kremlin says Ukraine must confirm its status as a non-nuclear state, guarantee the rights of Russian-speaking citizens – including granting Russian official language status – and lift all sanctions imposed on Russia.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky dismissed the Russian memorandum as an “ultimatum” that “no one will take seriously.”

Despite Russia’s conditions, many of which are likely to be non-starters, Putin told US President Donald Trump in a recent phone call that Russia is open to continuing negotiations with Ukraine after June 22.